Method and system for situational awareness for emergency response

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are systems and methods for sending emergency alerts. In some embodiments, sensors and wearable devices may trigger and send the emergency alerts and/or warning signals via available communication devices. Multi-media emergency alerts are also disclosed that include situational awareness information for effective and efficient emergency response.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/249,551, filed Nov. 2, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application No.62/274,571, filed Jan. 4, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/311,719, filed Mar. 22, 2016, each of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People in emergencies may request help by calling a designated emergencynumber, for example, a three-digit number like 911 or a direct localaccess telephone number (i.e., a telephone number tied to a specificemergency dispatch center). With the advent of mobile communicationdevices (e.g., mobile phones or wearable devices), emergency dispatchcenters are receiving a large number of calls from such devices but arepoorly equipped to augment their ability to respond to emergencies usingcurrently available technologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Present day wearable devices (e.g., the Apple Watch®) includecapabilities to sense and measure health indicators about a user. Suchhealth indicators may include pulse-rate, heart-rate, elevation,movement patterns, the amount of daily movement, temperature, and bloodoxygen levels. Present day wearable devices may measure such healthindicators using sensors, such as photodetectors operating in thevisible and infrared spectrums of light to measure reflection back ofcertain light emitted by the device, and accelerometers to measuredisplacement of the device. Wearable devices may also include geographicpositioning systems such as GPS to track the geographic location of thedevice.

Increasingly, many residential spaces, office buildings, and publicspaces are equipped with a variety of sensors, for example, temperaturesensors or motion sensors. In many instances, these sensors also havethe ability to communicate their sensed information over wirelesschannels, for example, over Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi communication, or overwired channels, for example, fiber optic cables using Ethernettechnologies. In some instances, the sensors are also able tocommunicate with each other by forming an ad hoc wireless mesh networkwithin a home or an office building and thus share a multitude of sensedinformation with each other.

In one aspect, described herein is a system comprising: a communicationdevice; a wearable device comprising at least one processor, a memory,at least one sensor, a network element, a user interface, andinstructions executable by the at least one processor to create anemergency alert application comprising: a sensor module receiving datafrom the at least one sensor; an interface module receiving at least oneemergency indication from the user interface; and a communication moduleestablishing an indirect communication link with an emergency managementsystem, the communication link: sending an alert to the communicationdevice for delivery to the emergency management system, wherein thealert comprises the at least one emergency indication, data from the atleast one sensor, and location information from the wearable device orthe communication device; receiving at least one data request from thecommunication device, wherein the data request originates from theemergency management system; and responding to the at least one datarequest by sending updated data from the at least one sensor to thecommunication device for delivery to the emergency management system toprovide situational awareness during an emergency response; a serverconfigured to provide an emergency management system applicationcomprising: an alert module receiving an alert from a communicationdevice, wherein said alert originates from a wearable device, whereinsaid alert comprises at least one emergency indication, data from the atleast one sensor, and location information from the wearable device orthe communication device; an update module sending at least one datarequest to the communication device for delivery to the wearable deviceand receiving updated data from the communication device that originatesfrom the at least one sensor of the wearable device. In someembodiments, the communication device comprises an indirectcommunication link module receiving an alert from the wearable deviceand delivering the alert to the emergency management system, wherein thealert is transmitted as a digital signal. In further embodiments, thecommunication device is selected from the group consisting of: mobilephone, computer, router, server, game console, Bluetooth device,infrared device, and modem. In even further embodiments, thecommunication device is a mobile phone. In some embodiments, thecommunication link sends an alert to a communication device for deliveryto an emergency management system. In some embodiments, thecommunication device requires authentication for the wearable device toestablish a communication link. In further embodiments, the wearabledevice enables a user to provide authentication to the communicationdevice to establish a communication link. In some embodiments, thecommunication module selects a communication device from a list ofcommunication devices for receiving the alert. In further embodiments,the communication module selects a communication device based onproximity to the emergency management system. In even furtherembodiments, proximity is calculated from the latency of communicationsbetween the communication device and the emergency management system. Infurther embodiments, the list of communication devices comprises devicessuitable for communicating with the wearable device. In furtherembodiments, the communication module selects a communication devicesuitable for directly communicating with wearable device based oncommunication link quality, wherein the each communication device isscored according to one or more factors relevant to communication linkquality between each communication device and the wearable device. Ineven further embodiments, the one or more factors are selected from thegroup consisting of: signal strength, channel latency, error rate,availability of wireless or wired channels for communication between thewearable device and the communication device, and transmission delaybetween the wearable device and the communication device. In someembodiments, the indirect communication link further comprises sendingan alert to a routing device for delivery to a communication device whenno communication device suitable for directly communicating with thewearable device is available. In further embodiments, the communicationmodule selects a routing device from a list of routing devices forreceiving the alert. In even further embodiments, the communicationmodule selects a routing device based on proximity to the emergencymanagement system. In still further embodiments, proximity is calculatedfrom the latency of communications between the routing device and theemergency management system. In even further embodiments, the list ofrouting devices comprises devices suitable for communicating with thewearable device. In still further embodiments, the communication moduleselects a routing device suitable for directly communicating with thewearable device based on communication link quality, wherein the eachrouting device is scored according to one or more factors relevant tocommunication link quality between each routing device and the emergencyalert device. In still further embodiments, the one or more factors areselected from the group consisting of: signal strength, channel latency,error rate, availability of wireless or wired channels for communicationbetween the wearable device and the routing device, and transmissiondelay between the wearable device and the routing device. In someembodiments, a user uses a communication device to send an alertcomprising data from the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, thealert comprises at least one multimedia message. In further embodiments,the at least one multimedia message comprises a plurality of data types.In even further embodiments, the plurality of data types is one or moreof: text, sound, image, video, meta-data, user-inputted data, locationalinformation, or a combination thereof. In still further embodiments, thewearable device provides at least one of the plurality of data types inthe multimedia message. In still further embodiments, the communicationdevice provides at least one of the plurality of data types in themultimedia message. In some embodiments, the alert delivered to theemergency management system comprises information about thecommunication device, wherein the information is selected from the groupconsisting of: location, identity of a user of the communication device,and relationship between a user of the communication device and a userof the wearable device. In further embodiments, the emergency managementsystem converts the multimedia message into a compatible format beforedelivering the multimedia message to an emergency dispatch center. Insome embodiments, the user interface provides a plurality of emergencyindications for the user to select from, wherein each said indicationconnotes a different type of emergency situation. In furtherembodiments, the type of emergency situation is selected from the groupconsisting of: medical, police, fire, and vehicle accident. In evenfurther embodiments, the type of emergency situation is selected fromthe group consisting of: natural disaster, earthquake, fire, flood,tornado, hurricane, sink hole, tsunami, thunderstorm, hail storm,whirlpool, cardiac arrest, stroke, seizure, anaphylactic shock, cut,abrasion, contusion, stab wound, bug bite, snake bite, animal attack,robbery, armed robbery, home invasion, battery, terrorist attack,chemical spill, explosion, gas leak, and drowning. In some embodiments,the user interface comprises a panic option, wherein an alert istransmitted immediately through all available channels and communicationlinks upon selection of the panic option. In some embodiments, the atleast one sensor detects at least one physiological parameter of a user.In some embodiments, the at least one sensor detects at least two,three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten physiologicalparameters of a user. In some embodiments, the at least onephysiological parameter is selected from the group consisting of: pulserate, blood pressure, skin temperature, ear temperature, sweatcharacteristics, salt levels in sweat, pupil dilation, respiration rate,blood oxygen level, blood alcohol level, and blood glucose level of theuser. In further embodiments, the sensor is configured to detect atleast one environmental parameter. In some embodiments, theenvironmental parameter is selected from the group consisting of: light,motion, temperature, pressure, humidity, vibration, magnetic field,sound, smoke, carbon monoxide, radiation, hazardous chemicals, acid,base, reactive compounds, volatile organic compounds, and smog. In someembodiments, the system further comprises a sensor database storing datacollected by at least one sensor. In further embodiments, each sensor inthe database is assigned a universal calling number. In even furtherembodiments, a communication device or an emergency management systemcan place a data call to the universal calling number of the sensor torequest data. In further embodiments, the data comprises real-time dataobtained from the at least one sensor. In further embodiments, the datacomprises historical sensor data obtained from the at least one sensor.In further embodiments, the data comprises real-time and historical dataobtained from the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the at leastone sensor is selected from the group of sensors consisting of: anoptical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, chemical,electrochemical, UV light, pressure, velocity, sound, thermal, andmechanical sensor. In further embodiments, the sensor readings indicatean emergency situation when a sensor reading falls outside of an alarmthreshold, said threshold defined by a range of values. In someembodiments, the at least one sensor is selected from the groupconsisting of: a heart rate monitor, thermometer, a respirometer, ablood glucose monitor, an electrolyte sensor, an electrical conductancemeter, a blood pressure sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, an EMG sensor, anEEG sensor, an ECG sensor, a body hydration sensor, a carbon dioxidesensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a smoke detector, a blood alcoholsensor, and a Geiger counter. In further embodiments, the sensorreadings indicate an emergency situation when a moving average of thesensor readings falls outside of an alarm threshold for a minimum periodof time. In further embodiments, the sensor readings indicate anemergency situation when a moving average of the sensor readings fallsoutside of an alarm threshold, said threshold defined by a range ofvalues. In even further embodiments, the sensor readings indicate anemergency situation when a sensor reading falls outside of an alarmthreshold for a minimum period of time. In still further embodiments,the minimum period of time is at least 1 second, at least 2 seconds, atleast 3 seconds, at least 4 seconds, at least 5 seconds, at least 6seconds, at least 7 seconds, at least 8 seconds, at least 9 seconds, atleast 10 seconds, at least 11 seconds, at least 12 seconds, at least 13seconds, at least 14 seconds, at least 15 seconds, at least 30 seconds,at least 45 seconds, at least 60 seconds, at least 2 minutes, at least 3minutes, at least 4 minutes, at least 5 minutes, at least 10 minutes, atleast 20 minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least 40 minutes, at least 50minutes, or at least 60 minutes. In further embodiments, the alarmthreshold is set by user input. In further embodiments, the alarmthreshold is calculated using historical data from the at least onesensor. In some embodiments, the wearable device sends an alertautonomously without user input when data from the at least one sensorindicates an emergency situation. In further embodiments, the minimumperiod of time is at least 1 second, at least 2 seconds, at least 3seconds, at least 4 seconds, at least 5 seconds, at least 6 seconds, atleast 7 seconds, at least 8 seconds, at least 9 seconds, at least 10seconds, at least 11 seconds, at least 12 seconds, at least 13 seconds,at least 14 seconds, at least 15 seconds, at least 30 seconds, at least45 seconds, at least 60 seconds, at least 2 minutes, at least 3 minutes,at least 4 minutes, at least 5 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 20minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least 40 minutes, at least 50 minutes,or at least 60 minutes. In further embodiments, the alarm threshold isset by user input. In further embodiments, the alarm threshold iscalculated using historical data from the at least one sensor. In someembodiments, the emergency management service delivers the alert to anemergency dispatch center. In further embodiments, the emergencymanagement service selects an emergency dispatch center to receive thealert from a plurality of emergency dispatch centers based on emergencyresponse ability. In even further embodiments, the emergency responseability is based on criteria selected from the group consisting of:proximity to the location of the emergency, resource availability, staffavailability, and calculated time to arrival of an emergency response.In further embodiments, the alert comprises a multimedia message. Infurther embodiments, the emergency management system converts themultimedia message to a format compatible with an emergency dispatchcenter before delivering the message. In even further embodiments, theformat compatible with an emergency dispatch center is an analog format.In still further embodiments, the analog format is audio, wherein themessage is converted into an audio message comprising the emergencyindication and sensor readings. In some embodiments, the wearable deviceis adapted to be wearable by a human. In some embodiments, the wearabledevice is adapted to be wearable by a bird or animal. In someembodiments, the wearable device adapted to be wearable by a pet. Insome embodiments, the wearable device is adapted to be wearable on thehand, finger, palm, wrist, elbow, arm, shoulder, neck, head, face, nose,ear, torso, chest, back, waist, hips, leg, knee, ankle, or foot. In someembodiments, an alert can be cancelled after being delivered to anemergency management system. In further embodiments, an alert iscancelled by a user of the wearable device. In further embodiments, analert is cancelled by a user of the wearable device upon authentication.In further embodiments, an alert is cancelled by the emergencymanagement system. In further embodiments, an alert is cancelledautomatically by the wearable device, wherein the device predicts thatthe alert was sent accidentally. In even further embodiments, the devicepredicts the alert was sent accidentally based on factors selected fromthe group consisting of: sensor data contradicting an emergencyindication from the user interface, sensor malfunction, conflicting datafrom a plurality of sensors. In some embodiments, an alert is cancelledwhen no communication device or routing device capable of delivering thealert to a communication device is available. In some embodiments, thecommunication module manages the indirect communication link with theemergency management service upon transmission of an alert by respondingto requests for updated data. In some embodiments, the communicationmodule sends updated data to the emergency management systemautomatically without a data request from the emergency managementsystem. In some embodiments, the communication module sends updated datato the emergency management service upon user input. In someembodiments, the updated data comprises sensor readings from the atleast one sensor. In further embodiments, the sensor readings compriselive sensor readings. In further embodiments, the sensor readingscomprise historical sensor readings.

In one aspect, described herein is a wearable device for requestingemergency assistance comprising: at least one processor, a memory, auser interface, at least one sensor, and a network element, and acomputer program including instructions executable by the at least oneprocessor to create an emergency alert application comprising: a sensormodule receiving data from the at least one sensor; an interface modulereceiving at least one emergency indication from the user interface; anda communication module establishing an indirect communication link withan emergency management system, the communication link: sending an alertto a communication device distinct from the wearable device for deliveryto the emergency management system, wherein the alert comprises the atleast one emergency indication, data from the at least one sensor, andlocation information from the wearable device or the communicationdevice; receiving at least one data request from the communicationdevice, wherein the data request originates from the emergencymanagement system; and responding to the at least one data request bysending updated data from the at least one sensor to the communicationdevice for delivery to the emergency management system to providesituational awareness during an emergency response. In some embodiments,the communication device is selected from the group consisting of:mobile phone, computer, router, server, game console, Bluetooth device,infrared device, and modem. In further embodiments, the communicationdevice is a mobile phone. In some embodiments, the communication devicerequires authentication for the wearable device to establish acommunication link. In further embodiments, the wearable device enablesa user to provide authentication to the communication device toestablish a communication link. In some embodiments, the communicationmodule selects a communication device from a list of communicationdevices for receiving the alert. In further embodiments, thecommunication module selects a communication device based on proximityto the emergency management system. In even further embodiments,proximity is calculated from the latency of communications between thecommunication device and the emergency management system. In furtherembodiments, the list of communication devices comprises devicessuitable for communicating with the wearable device. In furtherembodiments, the communication module selects a communication devicesuitable for directly communicating with wearable device based oncommunication link quality, wherein the each communication device isscored according to one or more factors relevant to communication linkquality between each communication device and the wearable device. Infurther embodiments, the one or more factors are selected from the groupconsisting of: signal strength, channel latency, error rate,availability of wireless or wired channels for communication between thewearable device and the communication device, and transmission delaybetween the wearable device and the communication device. In someembodiments, the indirect communication link further comprises sendingan alert to a routing device for delivery to a communication device whenno communication device suitable for directly communicating with thewearable device is available. In further embodiments, the communicationmodule selects a routing device from a list of routing devices forreceiving the alert. In even further embodiments, the communicationmodule selects a routing device based on proximity to the emergencymanagement system. In still further embodiments, proximity is calculatedfrom the latency of communications between the routing device and theemergency management system. In further embodiments, the list of routingdevices comprises devices suitable for communicating with the wearabledevice. In further embodiments, the communication module selects arouting device suitable for directly communicating with the wearabledevice based on communication link quality, wherein the each routingdevice is scored according to one or more factors relevant tocommunication link quality between each routing device and the emergencyalert device. In further embodiments, the one or more factors areselected from the group consisting of: signal strength, channel latency,error rate, availability of wireless or wired channels for communicationbetween the wearable device and the routing device, and transmissiondelay between the wearable device and the routing device. In someembodiments, a user uses a communication device to send an alertcomprising data from the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, thealert comprises at least one multimedia message. In further embodiments,the at least one multimedia message comprises a plurality of data types.In even embodiments, the plurality of data types is one or more of:text, sound, image, video, meta-data, user-inputted data, locationalinformation, or a combination thereof. In still further embodiments, thewearable device provides at least one of the plurality of data types inthe multimedia message. In some embodiments, the alert delivered to theemergency management system comprises information about thecommunication device, wherein the information is selected from the groupconsisting of: location, identity of a user of the communication device,and relationship between a user of the communication device and a userof the wearable device. In some embodiments, the user interface providesa plurality of emergency indications for the user to select from,wherein each said indication connotes a different type of emergencysituation. In further embodiments, the type of emergency situation isselected from the group consisting of: medical, police, fire, andvehicle accident. In even further embodiments, the type of emergencysituation is selected from the group consisting of: natural disaster,earthquake, fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, sink hole, tsunami,thunderstorm, hail storm, whirlpool, cardiac arrest, stroke, seizure,anaphylactic shock, cut, abrasion, contusion, stab wound, bug bite,snake bite, animal attack, robbery, armed robbery, home invasion,battery, terrorist attack, chemical spill, explosion, gas leak, anddrowning. In some embodiments, the user interface comprises a panicoption, wherein an alert is transmitted immediately through allavailable channels and communication links upon selection of the panicoption. In some embodiments, at least one sensor detects at least onephysiological parameter of a user. In further embodiments, the at leastone sensor detects at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,nine, or ten physiological parameters of a user. In further embodiments,the at least one physiological parameter is selected from the groupconsisting of: pulse rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, eartemperature, sweat characteristics, salt levels in sweat, pupildilation, respiration rate, blood oxygen level, blood alcohol level, andblood glucose level of the user. In some embodiments, the sensor isconfigured to detect at least one environmental parameter. In furtherembodiments, the environmental parameter is selected from the groupconsisting of: light, motion, temperature, pressure, humidity,vibration, magnetic field, sound, smoke, carbon monoxide, radiation,hazardous chemicals, acid, base, reactive compounds, volatile organiccompounds, and smog. In some embodiments, the device further comprises asensor database storing data collected by the at least one sensor. Infurther embodiments, each sensor in the database is assigned a universalcalling number. In even further embodiments, wearable device can receivea data call to the universal calling number of the sensor. In furtherembodiments, the data comprises real-time data obtained from the atleast one sensor. In further embodiments, the data comprises historicalsensor data obtained from the at least one sensor. In furtherembodiments, the data comprises real-time and historical data obtainedfrom the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the at least onesensor is selected from the group of sensors consisting of: an optical,electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, chemical, electrochemical, UVlight, pressure, velocity, sound, thermal, and mechanical sensor. Insome embodiments, the at least one sensor is selected from the groupconsisting of: a heart rate monitor, thermometer, a respirometer, ablood glucose monitor, an electrolyte sensor, an electrical conductancemeter, a blood pressure sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, an EMG sensor, anEEG sensor, an ECG sensor, a body hydration sensor, a carbon dioxidesensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a smoke detector, a blood alcoholsensor, and a Geiger counter. In some embodiments, the wearable devicesends an alert autonomously without user input when data from the atleast one sensor indicates an emergency situation. In furtherembodiments, the sensor readings indicate an emergency situation when asensor reading falls outside of an alarm threshold, said thresholddefined by a range of values. In even further embodiments, the sensorreadings indicate an emergency situation when a moving average of thesensor readings falls outside of an alarm threshold, said thresholddefined by a range of values. In even further embodiments, the sensorreadings indicate an emergency situation when a sensor reading fallsoutside of an alarm threshold for a minimum period of time. In stillfurther embodiments, the minimum period of time is at least 1 second, atleast 2 seconds, at least 3 seconds, at least 4 seconds, at least 5seconds, at least 6 seconds, at least 7 seconds, at least 8 seconds, atleast 9 seconds, at least 10 seconds, at least 11 seconds, at least 12seconds, at least 13 seconds, at least 14 seconds, at least 15 seconds,at least 30 seconds, at least 45 seconds, at least 60 seconds, at least2 minutes, at least 3 minutes, at least 4 minutes, at least 5 minutes,at least 10 minutes, at least 20 minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least40 minutes, at least 50 minutes, or at least 60 minutes. In even furtherembodiments, the alarm threshold is set by user input. In furtherembodiments, the alarm threshold is calculated using historical datafrom the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the wearable deviceis adapted to be wearable by a human. In some embodiments, the wearabledevice is adapted to be wearable by a bird or animal. In someembodiments, the wearable device adapted to be wearable by a pet. Insome embodiments, the wearable device is adapted to be wearable on thehand, finger, palm, wrist, elbow, arm, shoulder, neck, head, face, nose,ear, torso, chest, back, waist, hips, leg, knee, ankle, or foot. In someembodiments, an alert can be cancelled after being delivered to anemergency management system. In further embodiments, an alert iscancelled by a user of the wearable device. In further embodiments, analert is cancelled by a user of the wearable device upon authentication.In further embodiments, an alert is cancelled automatically by thewearable device, wherein the device predicts that the alert was sentaccidentally. In even further embodiments, the device predicts the alertwas sent accidentally based on factors selected from the groupconsisting of: sensor data contradicting an emergency indication fromthe user interface, sensor malfunction, conflicting data from aplurality of sensors. In some embodiments, an alert is cancelled when nocommunication device or routing device capable of delivering the alertto a communication device is available. In some embodiments, thecommunication module manages the indirect communication link with theemergency management service upon transmission of an alert by respondingto requests for updated data. In some embodiments, the communicationmodule sends updated data to the emergency management systemautomatically without a data request from the emergency managementsystem. In some embodiments, the communication module sends updated datato the emergency management service upon user input. In someembodiments, the updated data comprises sensor readings from the atleast one sensor. In further embodiments, the sensor readings compriselive sensor readings. In further embodiments, the sensor readingscomprise historical sensor readings. In some embodiments, the updateddata comprise location information. In further embodiments, the locationinformation comprises a current location of the wearable device. In evenfurther embodiments, the location information comprises a currentlocation of the communication device. In further embodiments, thelocation information comprises one or more historical locations of thewearable device. In further embodiments, the location informationcomprises one or more historical locations of the communication device.In some embodiments, the device further comprises at least one externalsensor, wherein the at least one external sensor is distinct from thewearable device. In further embodiments, the at least one externalsensor is in the vicinity of the wearable device. In furtherembodiments, the at least one external sensor is assigned a universalcalling number, wherein an emergency management system or acommunication device can request data from the at least one externalsensor by calling the universal calling number. In further embodiments,the at least one external sensor comprises a plurality of sensors. Ineven further embodiments, the plurality of sensors form a network ofsensors. In still further embodiments, the network is a wirelessnetwork. In still further embodiments, the network is an ad hoc wirelessmesh network. In still further embodiments, the wearable device is incommunication with the network of external sensors. In still furtherembodiments, the communication device is in communication with thenetwork of external sensors. In still further embodiments, the emergencymanagement system is in communication with the network of externalsensors. In still further embodiments, the sensor network is selectedfrom the group consisting of: Internet of Things network, wirelesssensor network, wired sensor network, a combination wired and wirelesssensor network, and wireless sensor and actuator network. In furtherembodiments, the wearable device maintains a list of external sensorsfor communication. In even further embodiments, the list of externalsensors belong to at least one network of external sensors. In furtherembodiments, the sensor module generates a list of external sensorswithin communication range. In even further embodiments, the sensormodule periodically updates the list of external sensors withincommunication range. In further embodiments, the wearable devicereceives alerts or broadcasts from external sensors within communicationrange. In even further embodiments, the wearable device receives datafrom the at least one external sensor upon request. In still furtherembodiments, the wearable device requests data from the at least oneexternal sensor after receiving an emergency indication to obtainsituational awareness. In still further embodiments, the data receivedfrom the at least one external sensor comprises sensor readings. Instill further embodiments, the data received from the at least oneexternal sensor comprises location information. In further embodiments,the emergency management system maintains a database of external sensorswith location information associated with the external sensors. Infurther embodiments, the sensor module begins requesting data fromexternal sensors when a sensor reading of the wearable device indicatesan emergency situation. In further embodiments, the at least oneexternal sensor broadcasts an alert requesting emergency assistance uponreceiving a request an alert requesting emergency assistance fromanother sensor. In even further embodiments, the at least one externalsensor updates the broadcasted alert with updated data from the at leastone external sensor. In even further embodiments, the at least oneexternal sensor updates the broadcasted alert with updated data from thesensor sending the request. In further embodiments, the at least oneexternal sensor sends data to the emergency management system uponrequest. In further embodiments, the at least one external sensor sendsupdated data to the emergency management system upon request. In someembodiments, the wearable device uses angles of arrival of signals fromother devices received by the wearable device to calculate relativepositioning of the wearable device with respect to the other devices inthe vicinity. In some embodiments, the wearable device autonomouslysends a warning to a user before sending an alert when sensor readingsindicate an emergency situation, wherein the user decides whether tosend the alert. In some embodiments, the emergency management system isan emergency dispatch center. In one aspect, a method for sending anemergency alert from a sensor is disclosed. In some embodiments, themethod includes sensing a parameter by the sensor, where the parameteris a health indicator of the user or one or more environmentalcharacteristics. In further embodiments, the method includes comparingthe parameter to one or more predefined ranges. In further embodiments,an emergency alert may be triggered when the parameter is outside of thepredefined alarm range or a warning signal may be triggered when theparameter is outside the predefined warning range. In some embodiments,the method includes scanning the airways around the sensor to locate oneor more communicating devices and selecting a communication device amongthem. In some embodiments, the communication device may be selectedbased on factors such as a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) ofthe communication device at the sensor, received signal strength oftransmissions from the communication device at the sensor, availabilityof wireless or wired channels for communication between the sensor andthe communication device, transmission delay on the communication linkbetween the sensor and the communication device, and other factorsindicative of quality of a communication link between the sensor and thecommunication device.

In another aspect, provided herein are methods for sending an alert froma wearable device to an emergency management system by using acommunication device to establish an indirect communication link, themethod comprising: receiving, by the wearable device, data from at leastone sensor associated with the wearable device; receiving, by thewearable device, at least one emergency indication initiated by a userinteracting with the wearable device; sending, by the wearable device,an alert to the communication device for delivery to the emergencymanagement system, wherein the alert comprises the at least oneemergency indication, data from the at least one sensor, and locationinformation from the wearable device or the communication device;receiving, by the wearable device, at least one data request from thecommunication device, wherein the data request originates from theemergency management system; and responding, by the wearable device, tothe at least one data request by transmitting updated data from the atleast one sensor to the communication device for delivery to theemergency management system to provide situational awareness during anemergency response. In some embodiments, the communication device isselected from the group consisting of: mobile phone, computer, router,server, game console, Bluetooth device, infrared device, and modem. Infurther embodiments, the communication device is a mobile phone. In someembodiments, the communication link sends an alert to a communicationdevice for delivery to an emergency management system. In someembodiments, the communication device requires authentication for thewearable device to establish a communication link. In some embodiments,the wearable device enables a user to provide authentication to thecommunication device to establish a communication link. In someembodiments, the communication module selects a communication devicefrom a list of communication devices for receiving the alert. In furtherembodiments, the communication module selects a communication devicebased on proximity to the emergency management system. In furtherembodiments, proximity is calculated from the latency of communicationsbetween the communication device and the emergency management system. Insome embodiments, the list of communication devices comprises devicessuitable for communicating with the wearable device. In furtherembodiments, the communication module selects a communication devicesuitable for directly communicating with wearable device based oncommunication link quality, wherein the each communication device isscored according to one or more factors relevant to communication linkquality between each communication device and the wearable device. Insome embodiments, the one or more factors are selected from the groupconsisting of: signal strength, channel latency, error rate,availability of wireless or wired channels for communication between thewearable device and the communication device, and transmission delaybetween the wearable device and the communication device. In someembodiments, the indirect communication link further comprises sendingan alert to a routing device for delivery to a communication device whenno communication device suitable for directly communicating with thewearable device is available. In some embodiments, the communicationmodule selects a routing device from a list of routing devices forreceiving the alert. In some embodiments, the communication moduleselects a routing device based on proximity to the emergency managementsystem. In some embodiments, proximity is calculated from the latency ofcommunications between the routing device and the emergency managementsystem. In some embodiments, the list of routing devices comprisesdevices suitable for communicating with the wearable device. In someembodiments, the communication module selects a routing device suitablefor directly communicating with the wearable device based oncommunication link quality, wherein the each routing device is scoredaccording to one or more factors relevant to communication link qualitybetween each routing device and the emergency alert device. In someembodiments, the one or more factors are selected from the groupconsisting of: signal strength, channel latency, error rate,availability of wireless or wired channels for communication between thewearable device and the routing device, and transmission delay betweenthe wearable device and the routing device. In some embodiments, a useruses a communication device to send an alert comprising data from the atleast one sensor. In some embodiments, the alert comprises at least onemultimedia message. In some embodiments, the at least one multimediamessage comprises a plurality of data types. In further embodiments, theplurality of data types is one or more of: text, sound, image, video,meta-data, user-inputted data, locational information, or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the alert delivered to the emergencymanagement system comprises information about the communication device,wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of:location, identity of a user of the communication device, andrelationship between a user of the communication device and a user ofthe wearable device. In some embodiments, the user interface provides aplurality of emergency indications for the user to select from, whereineach said indication connotes a different type of emergency situation.In some embodiments, the type of emergency situation is selected fromthe group consisting of: medical, police, fire, and vehicle accident. Infurther embodiments, the type of emergency situation is selected fromthe group consisting of: natural disaster, earthquake, fire, flood,tornado, hurricane, sink hole, tsunami, thunderstorm, hail storm,whirlpool, cardiac arrest, stroke, seizure, anaphylactic shock, cut,abrasion, contusion, stab wound, bug bite, snake bite, animal attack,robbery, armed robbery, home invasion, battery, terrorist attack,chemical spill, explosion, gas leak, and drowning. In some embodiments,the user interface comprises a panic option, wherein an alert istransmitted immediately through all available channels and communicationlinks upon selection of the panic option. In some embodiments, the atleast one sensor detects at least one physiological parameter of a user.In further embodiments, the at least one sensor detects at least two,three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten physiologicalparameters of a user. In further embodiments, the at least onephysiological parameter is selected from the group consisting of: pulserate, blood pressure, skin temperature, ear temperature, sweatcharacteristics, salt levels in sweat, pupil dilation, respiration rate,blood oxygen level, blood alcohol level, and blood glucose level of theuser. In some embodiments, the sensor is configured to detect at leastone environmental parameter. In further embodiments, the environmentalparameter is selected from the group consisting of: light, motion,temperature, pressure, humidity, vibration, magnetic field, sound,smoke, carbon monoxide, radiation, hazardous chemicals, acid, base,reactive compounds, volatile organic compounds, and smog. In someembodiments, comprising a sensor database storing data collected by theat least one sensor. In further embodiments, each sensor in the databaseis assigned a universal calling number. In further embodiments, acommunication device or an emergency management system can place a datacall to the universal calling number of the sensor to request data. Insome embodiments, the data comprises real-time data obtained from the atleast one sensor. In some embodiments, the data comprises historicalsensor data obtained from the at least one sensor. In some embodiments,the data comprises real-time and historical data obtained from the atleast one sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor isselected from the group of sensors consisting of: an optical,electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, chemical, electrochemical, UVlight, pressure, velocity, sound, thermal, and mechanical sensor. Insome embodiments, the at least one sensor is selected from the groupconsisting of: a heart rate monitor, thermometer, a respirometer, ablood glucose monitor, an electrolyte sensor, an electrical conductancemeter, a blood pressure sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, an EMG sensor, anEEG sensor, an ECG sensor, a body hydration sensor, a carbon dioxidesensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a smoke detector, a blood alcoholsensor, and a Geiger counter. In some embodiments, the wearable devicesends an alert autonomously without user input when data from the atleast one sensor indicates an emergency situation. In furtherembodiments, the sensor readings indicate an emergency situation when asensor reading falls outside of an alarm threshold, said thresholddefined by a range of values. In some embodiments, the sensor readingsindicate an emergency situation when a moving average of the sensorreadings falls outside of an alarm threshold, said threshold defined bya range of values. In some embodiments, the sensor readings indicate anemergency situation when a sensor reading falls outside of an alarmthreshold for a minimum period of time. In some embodiments, the minimumperiod of time is at least 1 second, at least 2 seconds, at least 3seconds, at least 4 seconds, at least 5 seconds, at least 6 seconds, atleast 7 seconds, at least 8 seconds, at least 9 seconds, at least 10seconds, at least 11 seconds, at least 12 seconds, at least 13 seconds,at least 14 seconds, at least 15 seconds, at least 30 seconds, at least45 seconds, at least 60 seconds, at least 2 minutes, at least 3 minutes,at least 4 minutes, at least 5 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 20minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least 40 minutes, at least 50 minutes,or at least 60 minutes. In some embodiments, the sensor readingsindicate an emergency situation when a moving average of the sensorreadings falls outside of an alarm threshold for a minimum period oftime. In some embodiments, the minimum period of time is at least 1second, at least 2 seconds, at least 3 seconds, at least 4 seconds, atleast 5 seconds, at least 6 seconds, at least 7 seconds, at least 8seconds, at least 9 seconds, at least 10 seconds, at least 11 seconds,at least 12 seconds, at least 13 seconds, at least 14 seconds, at least15 seconds, at least 30 seconds, at least 45 seconds, at least 60seconds, at least 2 minutes, at least 3 minutes, at least 4 minutes, atleast 5 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 20 minutes, at least 30minutes, at least 40 minutes, at least 50 minutes, or at least 60minutes. In some embodiments, the alarm threshold is set by user input.In some embodiments, the alarm threshold is set by user input. In someembodiments, the alarm threshold is calculated using historical datafrom the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the alarm thresholdis calculated using historical data from the at least one sensor. Insome embodiments, the wearable device is adapted to be wearable by ahuman. In some embodiments, the wearable device is adapted to bewearable by a bird or animal. In some embodiments, the wearable deviceadapted to be wearable by a pet. In some embodiments, the wearabledevice is adapted to be wearable on the hand, finger, palm, wrist,elbow, arm, shoulder, neck, head, face, nose, ear, torso, chest, back,waist, hips, leg, knee, ankle, or foot. In some embodiments, an alert iscancelled automatically by the wearable device, wherein the devicepredicts that the alert was sent accidentally. In some embodiments, thedevice predicts the alert was sent accidentally based on factorsselected from the group consisting of: sensor data contradicting anemergency indication from the user interface, sensor malfunction,conflicting data from a plurality of sensors. The method of claim 1,wherein an alert is cancelled when no communication device or routingdevice capable of delivering the alert to a communication device isavailable. In some embodiments, the communication module manages theindirect communication link with the emergency management service upontransmission of an alert by responding to requests for updated data. Insome embodiments, the communication module sends updated data to theemergency management system automatically without a data request fromthe emergency management system. In some embodiments, the communicationmodule sends updated data to the emergency management service upon userinput. In some embodiments, the updated data comprises sensor readingsfrom the at least one sensor. In further embodiments, the sensorreadings comprise live sensor readings. In further embodiments, thesensor readings comprise historical sensor readings. In someembodiments, the updated data comprise location information. In someembodiments, the location information comprises a current location ofthe wearable device. In some embodiments, the location informationcomprises a current location of the communication device. In someembodiments, the location information comprises one or more historicallocations of the wearable device. In some embodiments, the locationinformation comprises one or more historical locations of thecommunication device. In some embodiments, comprising at least oneexternal sensor, wherein the at least one external sensor is distinctfrom the wearable device. In some embodiments, the at least one externalsensor is in the vicinity of the wearable device. In some embodiments,the at least one external sensor is assigned a universal calling number,wherein an emergency management system or a communication device canrequest data from the at least one external sensor by calling theuniversal calling number. In some embodiments, the at least one externalsensor comprises a plurality of sensors. In further embodiments, theplurality of sensors form a network of sensors. In some embodiments, thenetwork is a wireless network. In some embodiments, the network is an adhoc wireless mesh network. In some embodiments, the wearable device isin communication with the network of external sensors. In someembodiments, the communication device is in communication with thenetwork of external sensors. In some embodiments, the emergencymanagement system is in communication with the network of externalsensors. In some embodiments, the sensor network is selected from thegroup consisting of: Internet of Things network, wireless sensornetwork, wired sensor network, a combination wired and wireless sensornetwork, and wireless sensor and actuator network. In some embodiments,the wearable device maintains a list of external sensors forcommunication. In some embodiments, the list of external sensors belongto at least one network of external sensors. In some embodiments, thesensor module generates a list of external sensors within communicationrange. In further embodiments, the sensor module periodically updatesthe list of external sensors within communication range. In someembodiments, the wearable device receives alerts or broadcasts fromexternal sensors within communication range. In further embodiments, thewearable device receives data from the at least one external sensor uponrequest. In some embodiments, the wearable device requests data from theat least one external sensor after receiving an emergency indication toobtain situational awareness. In some embodiments, the data receivedfrom the at least one external sensor comprises sensor readings. In someembodiments, the data received from the at least one external sensorcomprises location information. In some embodiments, the sensor modulebegins requesting data from external sensors when a sensor reading ofthe wearable device indicates an emergency situation. In someembodiments, the at least one external sensor broadcasts an alertrequesting emergency assistance upon receiving a request an alertrequesting emergency assistance from another sensor. In someembodiments, the at least one external sensor updates the broadcastedalert with updated data from the at least one external sensor. In someembodiments, the at least one external sensor updates the broadcastedalert with updated data from the sensor sending the request. In someembodiments, the at least one external sensor sends data to theemergency management system upon request. In some embodiments, the atleast one external sensor sends updated data to the emergency managementsystem upon request. In some embodiments, the wearable device usesangles of arrival of signals from other devices received by the wearabledevice to calculate relative positioning of the wearable device withrespect to the other devices in the vicinity. In some embodiments, thewearable device autonomously sends a warning to a user before sending analert when sensor readings indicate an emergency situation, wherein theuser decides whether to send the alert. In some embodiments, theemergency management system is an emergency dispatch center. In someembodiments, when the communication device is unavailable, the methodincludes selecting a routing device, based on factors such as a receivedsignal strength of the routing device at the sensor, availability ofwireless or wired channels for communication between the sensor and therouting device, ability to authenticate with the routing device,transmission delay on the communication link between the sensor and therouting device, and other factors indicative of quality of acommunication link between the sensor and the routing device. In furtherembodiments, the method includes establishing a communication link to atleast one of the communication device or the routing device, wherein therouting device establishes an indirect communication link with acommunication device. In some embodiments, the method includes sendingone or more of the emergency alert and warning signal via the connecteddevice to an emergency dispatch center (EDC).

In one aspect, described herein are methods for an emergency managementsystem to obtain updated sensor data from a wearable device uponreceiving an alert by using a communication device to establish anindirect communication link, the method comprising: receiving, by theemergency management system, an alert from a communication device,wherein said alert originates from a wearable device, wherein said alertcomprises at least one emergency indication, data from at least onesensor associated with the wearable device, and location informationfrom the wearable device or the communication device; sending, by theemergency management system, at least one data request to thecommunication device for delivery to the wearable device; and receivingby the emergency management system updated data from the communicationdevice, wherein the updated data originates from the at least one sensorassociated with the wearable device. In some embodiments, thecommunication device comprises an indirect communication link modulereceiving an alert from the wearable device and delivering the alert tothe emergency management system, wherein the alert is transmitted as adigital signal. In further embodiments, the communication device isselected from the group consisting of: mobile phone, computer, router,server, game console, Bluetooth device, infrared device, and modem. Infurther embodiments, the communication device is a mobile phone. In someembodiments, the alert comprises at least one multimedia message. Insome embodiments, the at least one multimedia message comprises aplurality of data types. In some embodiments, the plurality of datatypes is one or more of: text, sound, image, video, meta-data,user-inputted data, locational information, or a combination thereof. Infurther embodiments, the wearable device provides at least one of theplurality of data types in the multimedia message. In some embodiments,the communication device provides at least one of the plurality of datatypes in the multimedia message. In some embodiments, the alertdelivered to the emergency management system comprises information aboutthe communication device, wherein the information is selected from thegroup consisting of: location, identity of a user of the communicationdevice, and relationship between a user of the communication device anda user of the wearable device. In some embodiments, the emergencymanagement system converts the multimedia message into a compatibleformat before delivering the multimedia message to an emergency dispatchcenter. In some embodiments, the emergency management service deliversthe alert to an emergency dispatch center. In some embodiments, theemergency management service selects an emergency dispatch center toreceive the alert from a plurality of emergency dispatch centers basedon emergency response ability. In some embodiments, the emergencyresponse ability is based on criteria selected from the group consistingof: proximity to the location of the emergency, resource availability,staff availability, and calculated time to arrival of an emergencyresponse. In some embodiments, the alert comprises a multimedia message.In some embodiments, the emergency management system converts themultimedia message to a format compatible with an emergency dispatchcenter before delivering the message. In some embodiments, the formatcompatible with an emergency dispatch center is an analog format. Insome embodiments, the analog format is audio, wherein the message isconverted into an audio message comprising the emergency indication andsensor readings. In some embodiments, an alert can be cancelled afterbeing delivered to an emergency management system. In some embodiments,an alert is cancelled by the emergency management system. In someembodiments, emergency management system receives updated data from thewearable device upon user input. In some embodiments, the updated datacomprises sensor readings from the at least one sensor. In someembodiments, the sensor readings comprise live sensor readings. In someembodiments, the sensor readings comprise historical sensor readings. Insome embodiments, the updated data comprise location information. Insome embodiments, the location information comprises a current locationof the wearable device. In some embodiments, the location informationcomprises a current location of the communication device. In someembodiments, the location information comprises one or more historicallocations of the wearable device. In some embodiments, the locationinformation comprises one or more historical locations of thecommunication device. In some embodiments, at least one external sensoris assigned a universal calling number, wherein an emergency managementsystem or a communication device can request data from the at least oneexternal sensor by calling the universal calling number. In anotheraspect, a system for sending an emergency alert is disclosed. In someembodiments, the system includes a sensor, a communication device and anemergency management system (EMS). In further embodiments, the sensormay have a sensor module and a communication module. In furtherembodiments, the sensor module may sense one or more parameters and thecommunication module may be able to establish a communication link. Infurther embodiments, the communication device may be able to participatein the communication link with the sensor and the communication deviceis available for sending an emergency alert. In some embodiments, theEMS receives the emergency alert from the communication device forprocessing and forwarding the emergency alert to an emergency dispatchcenter (EDC).

In another aspect, described herein are non-transitory computer-readablestorage media encoded with a computer program including instructionsexecutable by at least one processor to create an emergency alertapplication comprising: a sensor module receiving data from at least onesensor associated with a wearable device worn by a user; an interfacemodule receiving at least one emergency indication initiated by the userinteracting with a user interface of the wearable device; and acommunication module establishing an indirect communication link with anemergency management system, the communication link: sending an alert toa communication device distinct from the wearable device for delivery tothe emergency management system, wherein the alert comprises the atleast one emergency indication, data from the at least one sensor, andlocation information from the wearable device or the communicationdevice; receiving at least one data request from the communicationdevice, wherein the data request originates from the emergencymanagement system; and responding to the at least one data request bytransmitting updated data from the at least one sensor to thecommunication device for delivery to the emergency management system toprovide situational awareness during an emergency response. In furtherembodiments, the communication device comprises an indirectcommunication link module receiving an alert from the wearable deviceand delivering the alert to the emergency management system, wherein thealert is transmitted as a digital signal. In further embodiments, thecommunication device is selected from the group consisting of: mobilephone, computer, router, server, game console, Bluetooth device,infrared device, and modem. In further embodiments, the communicationdevice is a mobile phone. In some embodiments, the communication linksends an alert to a communication device for delivery to an emergencymanagement system. In some embodiments, the communication devicerequires authentication for the wearable device to establish acommunication link. In some embodiments, the wearable device enables auser to provide authentication to the communication device to establisha communication link. In some embodiments, the communication moduleselects a communication device from a list of communication devices forreceiving the alert. In further embodiments, the communication moduleselects a communication device based on proximity to the emergencymanagement system. In further embodiments, proximity is calculated fromthe latency of communications between the communication device and theemergency management system. In some embodiments, the list ofcommunication devices comprises devices suitable for communicating withthe wearable device. In some embodiments, the communication moduleselects a communication device suitable for directly communicating withwearable device based on communication link quality, wherein the eachcommunication device is scored according to one or more factors relevantto communication link quality between each communication device and thewearable device. In further embodiments, the one or more factors areselected from the group consisting of: signal strength, channel latency,error rate, availability of wireless or wired channels for communicationbetween the wearable device and the communication device, andtransmission delay between the wearable device and the communicationdevice. In some embodiments, the indirect communication link furthercomprises sending an alert to a routing device for delivery to acommunication device when no communication device suitable for directlycommunicating with the wearable device is available. In someembodiments, the communication module selects a routing device from alist of routing devices for receiving the alert. In some embodiments,the communication module selects a routing device based on proximity tothe emergency management system. In further embodiments, proximity iscalculated from the latency of communications between the routing deviceand the emergency management system. In some embodiments, the list ofrouting devices comprises devices suitable for communicating with thewearable device. In some embodiments, the communication module selects arouting device suitable for directly communicating with the wearabledevice based on communication link quality, wherein the each routingdevice is scored according to one or more factors relevant tocommunication link quality between each routing device and the emergencyalert device. In further embodiments, the one or more factors areselected from the group consisting of: signal strength, channel latency,error rate, availability of wireless or wired channels for communicationbetween the wearable device and the routing device, and transmissiondelay between the wearable device and the routing device. In someembodiments, a user uses a communication device to send an alertcomprising data from the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, thealert comprises at least one multimedia message. In further embodiments,the at least one multimedia message comprises a plurality of data types.In further embodiments, the plurality of data types is one or more of:text, sound, image, video, meta-data, user-inputted data, locationalinformation, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the wearabledevice provides at least one of the plurality of data types in themultimedia message. In some embodiments, the communication deviceprovides at least one of the plurality of data types in the multimediamessage. In some embodiments, the alert delivered to the emergencymanagement system comprises information about the communication device,wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of:location, identity of a user of the communication device, andrelationship between a user of the communication device and a user ofthe wearable device. In further embodiments, the emergency managementsystem converts the multimedia message into a compatible format beforedelivering the multimedia message to an emergency dispatch center. Insome embodiments, the user interface provides a plurality of emergencyindications for the user to select from, wherein each said indicationconnotes a different type of emergency situation. In some embodiments,the type of emergency situation is selected from the group consistingof: medical, police, fire, and vehicle accident. In some embodiments,the type of emergency situation is selected from the group consistingof: natural disaster, earthquake, fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, sinkhole, tsunami, thunderstorm, hail storm, whirlpool, cardiac arrest,stroke, seizure, anaphylactic shock, cut, abrasion, contusion, stabwound, bug bite, snake bite, animal attack, robbery, armed robbery, homeinvasion, battery, terrorist attack, chemical spill, explosion, gasleak, and drowning. In some embodiments, the user interface comprises apanic option, wherein an alert is transmitted immediately through allavailable channels and communication links upon selection of the panicoption. In some embodiments, at least one sensor detects at least onephysiological parameter of a user. In further embodiments, the at leastone sensor detects at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,nine, or ten physiological parameters of a user. In some embodiments,the at least one physiological parameter is selected from the groupconsisting of: pulse rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, eartemperature, sweat characteristics, salt levels in sweat, pupildilation, respiration rate, blood oxygen level, blood alcohol level, andblood glucose level of the user. In some embodiments, the sensor isconfigured to detect at least one environmental parameter. In furtherembodiments, the environmental parameter is selected from the groupconsisting of: light, motion, temperature, pressure, humidity,vibration, magnetic field, sound, smoke, carbon monoxide, radiation,hazardous chemicals, acid, base, reactive compounds, volatile organiccompounds, and smog. In some embodiments, the application furthercomprises a sensor database storing data collected by the at least onesensor. In some embodiments, each sensor in the database is assigned auniversal calling number. In some embodiments, a communication device oran emergency management system can place a data call to the universalcalling number of the sensor to request data. In some embodiments, thedata comprises real-time data obtained from the at least one sensor. Insome embodiments, the data comprises historical sensor data obtainedfrom the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the data comprisesreal-time and historical data obtained from the at least one sensor. Insome embodiments, the at least one sensor is selected from the group ofsensors consisting of: an optical, electrical, magnetic,electromagnetic, chemical, electrochemical, UV light, pressure,velocity, sound, thermal, and mechanical sensor. In some embodiments,the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of: aheart rate monitor, thermometer, a respirometer, a blood glucosemonitor, an electrolyte sensor, an electrical conductance meter, a bloodpressure sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, an EMG sensor, an EEG sensor, anECG sensor, a body hydration sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbonmonoxide sensor, a smoke detector, a blood alcohol sensor, and a Geigercounter. In some embodiments, the wearable device sends an alertautonomously without user input when data from the at least one sensorindicates an emergency situation. In some embodiments, the sensorreadings indicate an emergency situation when a sensor reading fallsoutside of an alarm threshold, said threshold defined by a range ofvalues. In further embodiments, the sensor readings indicate anemergency situation when a moving average of the sensor readings fallsoutside of an alarm threshold, said threshold defined by a range ofvalues. In some embodiments, the sensor readings indicate an emergencysituation when a sensor reading falls outside of an alarm threshold fora minimum period of time. In further embodiments, the minimum period oftime is at least 1 second, at least 2 seconds, at least 3 seconds, atleast 4 seconds, at least 5 seconds, at least 6 seconds, at least 7seconds, at least 8 seconds, at least 9 seconds, at least 10 seconds, atleast 11 seconds, at least 12 seconds, at least 13 seconds, at least 14seconds, at least 15 seconds, at least 30 seconds, at least 45 seconds,at least 60 seconds, at least 2 minutes, at least 3 minutes, at least 4minutes, at least 5 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 20 minutes,at least 30 minutes, at least 40 minutes, at least 50 minutes, or atleast 60 minutes. In some embodiments, the sensor readings indicate anemergency situation when a moving average of the sensor readings fallsoutside of an alarm threshold for a minimum period of time. In furtherembodiments, the minimum period of time is at least 1 second, at least 2seconds, at least 3 seconds, at least 4 seconds, at least 5 seconds, atleast 6 seconds, at least 7 seconds, at least 8 seconds, at least 9seconds, at least 10 seconds, at least 11 seconds, at least 12 seconds,at least 13 seconds, at least 14 seconds, at least 15 seconds, at least30 seconds, at least 45 seconds, at least 60 seconds, at least 2minutes, at least 3 minutes, at least 4 minutes, at least 5 minutes, atleast 10 minutes, at least 20 minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least 40minutes, at least 50 minutes, or at least 60 minutes. In someembodiments, the alarm threshold is set by user input. In someembodiments, the alarm threshold is set by user input. In someembodiments, the alarm threshold is calculated using historical datafrom the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the alarm thresholdis calculated using historical data from the at least one sensor. Insome embodiments, the emergency management service delivers the alert toan emergency dispatch center. In further embodiments, the emergencymanagement service selects an emergency dispatch center to receive thealert from a plurality of emergency dispatch centers based on emergencyresponse ability. In some embodiments, the emergency response ability isbased on criteria selected from the group consisting of: proximity tothe location of the emergency, resource availability, staffavailability, and calculated time to arrival of an emergency response.In some embodiments, the alert comprises a multimedia message. In someembodiments, the emergency management system converts the multimediamessage to a format compatible with an emergency dispatch center beforedelivering the message. In some embodiments, the format compatible withan emergency dispatch center is an analog format. In some embodiments,the analog format is audio, wherein the message is converted into anaudio message comprising the emergency indication and sensor readings.In some embodiments, the wearable device is adapted to be wearable by ahuman. In some embodiments, the wearable device is adapted to bewearable by a bird or animal. In some embodiments, the wearable deviceadapted to be wearable by a pet. In some embodiments, the wearabledevice is adapted to be wearable on the hand, finger, palm, wrist,elbow, arm, shoulder, neck, head, face, nose, ear, torso, chest, back,waist, hips, leg, knee, ankle, or foot. In some embodiments, an alertcan be cancelled after being delivered to an emergency managementsystem. In some embodiments, an alert is cancelled by a user of thewearable device. In some embodiments, an alert is cancelled by a user ofthe wearable device upon authentication. In some embodiments, an alertis cancelled by the emergency management system. In some embodiments, analert is cancelled automatically by the wearable device, wherein thedevice predicts that the alert was sent accidentally. In someembodiments, the device predicts the alert was sent accidentally basedon factors selected from the group consisting of: sensor datacontradicting an emergency indication from the user interface, sensormalfunction, conflicting data from a plurality of sensors. In someembodiments, an alert is cancelled when no communication device orrouting device capable of delivering the alert to a communication deviceis available. In some embodiments, the communication module manages theindirect communication link with the emergency management service upontransmission of an alert by responding to requests for updated data. Insome embodiments, the communication module sends updated data to theemergency management system automatically without a data request fromthe emergency management system. In some embodiments, the communicationmodule sends updated data to the emergency management service upon userinput. In some embodiments, the updated data comprises sensor readingsfrom the at least one sensor. In further embodiments, the sensorreadings comprise live sensor readings. In further embodiments, thesensor readings comprise historical sensor readings. In someembodiments, the updated data comprise location information. In furtherembodiments, the location information comprises a current location ofthe wearable device. In some embodiments, the location informationcomprises a current location of the communication device. In someembodiments, the location information comprises one or more historicallocations of the wearable device. In some embodiments, the locationinformation comprises one or more historical locations of thecommunication device. In some embodiments, the communication modulemaintains a list of external sensors for communication. In someembodiments, the list of external sensors belong to at least one networkof external sensors. In some embodiments, the sensor module generates alist of external sensors within communication range. In someembodiments, the sensor module periodically updates the list of externalsensors within communication range. In some embodiments, thecommunication module receives alerts or broadcasts from external sensorswithin communication range. In some embodiments, the communicationmodule receives data from the at least one external sensor upon request.In some embodiments, the communication module requests data from the atleast one external sensor after receiving an emergency indication toobtain situational awareness. In some embodiments, the communicationmodule receives data from the at least one external sensor comprisessensor readings. In some embodiments, the data received from the atleast one external sensor comprises location information. In someembodiments, the emergency management system maintains a database ofexternal sensors with location information associated with the externalsensors. In some embodiments, the sensor module begins requesting datafrom external sensors when a sensor reading of the wearable deviceindicates an emergency situation. In some embodiments, the at least oneexternal sensor broadcasts an alert requesting emergency assistance uponreceiving a request an alert requesting emergency assistance fromanother sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one external sensorupdates the broadcasted alert with updated data from the at least oneexternal sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one external sensorupdates the broadcasted alert with updated data from the sensor sendingthe request. In some embodiments, the at least one external sensor sendsdata to the emergency management system upon request. In someembodiments, the at least one external sensor sends updated data to theemergency management system upon request. In some embodiments, thecommunication module autonomously sends a warning to a user beforesending an alert when sensor readings indicate an emergency situation,wherein the user decides whether to send the alert. In some embodiments,the emergency management system is an emergency dispatch center. Inanother aspect, a multi-media emergency alert sent by a sensor isdisclosed. The emergency alert includes a request for emergencyassistance, one or more user information, one or more locationalinformation; and one or more sensed parameters.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a wearable device forsending an emergency alert.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of a sensor or wearabledevice initiating a communication link with a communication device;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of a method for sending analert to an emergency dispatch center (“EDC”);

FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of the system for sending anemergency alert via different types of communication device(s);

FIG. 5 is an illustration of one embodiment of a system for sending anemergency alert;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of another embodiment of a system for sendingan emergency alert;

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a method by which a sensor or awearable device may trigger and send an emergency alert;

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a sensor in a network that maybroadcast the emergency alert;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of one embodiment of a method for sending aquery to a sensor for updated sensed parameters.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of one embodiment of a system including alist of communication devices for sending the emergency alert;

FIG. 11 depicts one embodiment of a method by which a sensor or wearabledevice may choose a communication device from a list;

FIG. 12 depicts one embodiment of a method by which a sensor or wearabledevice may update a prioritized list of communication devices;

FIG. 13 depicts one embodiment of a method by which a sensor or awearable device may determine its distance from a communication device;

FIG. 14 depicts one embodiment of a method by which a wearable devicemay trigger an emergency alert by monitoring a user's health indicators;and

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings of which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the detailsof construction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. Aspects andembodiments disclosed herein are capable of being practiced or of beingcarried out in various ways.

Aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the detailsof construction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the drawings. Aspects andembodiments disclosed herein are capable of being practiced or of beingcarried out in various ways.

During an emergency, communication device(s) in the vicinity may be inpossession of information that pertain to user(s) of the communicationdevice(s), the environment that houses the user(s) of the communicationdevice, or the device itself. In an emergency, these pieces ofinformation from various devices may be used to build situationalawareness of the emergency. As referred to herein, “situationalawareness” is the ability to identify, process, and comprehend thecritical elements of information about what is happening and the personsthat have been or are likely to be affected by the emergency situation.

For situational awareness regarding an emergency, locational informationmay be of critical importance, for example, the location of variouspersons and pets in the area. In addition to GPS, mobile or wearabledevice(s) may provide information from an accelerometer, magnetometer,gyroscope, etc., about the speed and direction of the user. In addition,the devices in the vicinity may have information regarding temperature,air pressure, carbon monoxide levels, oxygen levels, smoke, air flow,air speed, precipitation levels, air moisture and other environmentalcharacteristics. Information regarding the user or others in the areamay also be of critical importance. In particular, health informationmay include heart rate, pulse, electric signals from the heart, bloodoxygen levels, blood pressure, blood sugar level, and otherhealth-indicators, etc. For example, an EKG can confirm if a person ishaving a heart attack.

CERTAIN TERMINOLOGIES

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the samemeaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this invention belongs. As used in this specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any referenceto “or” herein is intended to encompass “and/or” unless otherwisestated. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As referenced herein, data from a sensor, data from a sensing component,data from a sensor element, and sensor data all refer to sensedinformation originating from a sensor. Information or data from a sensorare equivalent to sensed parameter value(s).

As referenced herein, “health indicators” or “physiological parameters”are understood to be various attributes or measurable characteristics ofthe body that measure the health and well-being of a person such asheart rate, pulse, blood pressure, blood sugar or blood glucose level,salt levels in sweat, heartbeat, temperature, sweat characteristics, eyecharacteristics, breathing, etc. For example, irregular heartbeats maybe a sign of a heart attack.

As referenced herein, “environmental characteristics/characteristics” or“environmental parameters” are understood to be various parameters inthe environment that is measured by a sensor that provide situationalawareness about the emergency situation. For example, environmentalcharacteristics may include the level of parameters such as smoke,carbon monoxide, radioactivity, temperature, water, chemical, etc., thatmay indicate that there is an emergency situation and/or providesituational awareness regarding an emergency. It is contemplated thatadvances in technology may lead to sensors for measuring variouscomponents in bodily fluids or on the skin to evaluate various healthindicators. In addition to the health information, the device(s)associated with the user may have critical information about the user'shabit, communications, family and friends, pre-existing conditions,preferences, emergency contacts/instructions, etc.

An emergency response with situational awareness can be more effectiveand efficient. Currently, EDCs receive limited information about theemergency and the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with generalpreparation have to be sent to the scene quickly. It is contemplatedthat situational awareness about the emergency obtained from the alertwill allow emergency response resources to be allocated moreefficiently, for example, when a hurricane or tornado hits a large area.In addition, the EMTs may be able to monitor the emergency situation asthey are responding to the emergency. For example, an EDC may receive anemergency alert because of a fire. The EDC may also receive informationabout the location and health of the various people and pets in thehouse via the situational awareness process from various devices. Inresponding to the emergency, the EMTs and firefighters are able bringappropriate equipment and manpower and reduce exploration needed forlocating the people and pets.

Existing filings, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/856,818, titled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EMERGENCY CALL MANAGEMENT,”filed on Sep. 17, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference, takeadvantage of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to makeemergency calls, including multi-media messaging, from usercommunication devices such as cellular phones to EDCs.

Historically, users have not been able to make VoIP calls to EDCs usingwearable devices. Given the widespread use of wearable technology itwill be advantageous for users to be able send an emergency alert forassistance, as needed. In addition, wearable devices have situationalawareness information about the emergency. Therefore, it will beadvantageous for users to be able to send multimedia messages from theirwearable device to an EDC via a communication device, such as mobile orcellular phone, tablet computer, laptop or other communication devices.Disclosed herein are systems and processes by which users caneffectively use their wearable device to establish an emergency callwith an EDC over data communication links such as IP based channels.

It has been found desirable to have a system and associated method thatenables users to utilize wearable technologies to initiate voice andnon-voice data sessions for the sake of emergency response to an EDC.Such data sessions desirably would include sending and receiving ofmultimedia messages and confirmation of reception of request foremergency help, receiving an indication of status of a responseprovided, and conveying meta-data relating to the user, such aslocation, pre-stored health record and health information from awearable device, such as pulse-rate, heart-rate, elevation, movementpattern, amount of daily movement, temperature, temperature, and bloodoxygen levels etc., and other relevant information about the user of thewearable device.

As referenced herein, “wearable devices” refers to mobile devices oraccessories that can be worn or installed on a user's body. In someembodiments, wearable devices may include one or more sensors. A“sensor” is a device that measures a physical parameter and may recordand respond to the measurement (e.g., a temperature sensor, a heart-ratemonitor, etc.). Wireless sensors disclosed herein include a sensormodule and a communication module for sending the sensed and recordedinformation. As referenced herein, a “user” refers to a person or entitywhich uses a communicating device or a network service.

As referenced herein, an “Emergency Management System (“EMS”) refers toa system that receives and processes emergency alerts from users andforwards them to the EDC. Various embodiments of the EMS are describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/856,818, and incorporated hereinby reference. The “Emergency Dispatch Center (“EDC”) refers to theentity that receives the emergency alert and coordinates the emergencyassistance. The EDC may be a public organization run by themunicipality, county or city or may be a private organization. Theemergency assistance may be in various forms including medical,caregivers, firefighting, police, military, paramilitary, border patrol,lifeguard, security services.

As referenced herein, “multi-media message” refers to data messages thatinclude information in two or more different types of data—text, sound,image, and video. The multi-media message may also include Meta data,user-inputted data and locational coordinates or GPS data. Themulti-media message may be unformatted or formatted for ease oftransmission and implementation of the emergency response at the EDC. Asused herein, “locational information” may include GPS coordinates orcellular triangulation information, Wi-Fi based locationing, an indoorpositioning system or any other form of positional information.

Similarly, current capabilities of wireless sensor networks (e.g.,Internet of Things networks) do not allow them to send multimediamessages for emergency response. For better emergency response, it willbe beneficial for sensors to actively search and find othercommunication devices capable of communicating over longer distances,such as cellular phones, to initiate a call for emergency response. Inaddition, sensed parameters from the sensor or another sensor in thesensor network can provide helpful situational awareness information forthe emergency response. Various aspects and embodiments disclosed hereininclude methods and systems which fulfill one or more of these needs.

In some embodiments, the user will be able to download and install asoftware or application that will initiate the emergency alert by usingthe disclosed methods. It is understood that the application may beinstalled on one or more devices in the disclosed system such as asensor, a wearable device, a cell phone, a tablet, a laptop, etc. Inother embodiments, a sensor or a wearable device may be pre-installedwith software to enable sending the emergency alert.

Universal Calling Numbers for Sensing Devices

The growing ubiquitous presence of sensors, coupled with the fact thatconventional communications to EDCs, for example, PSAPs, are often madevia mobile wireless devices or smart devices (e.g., smartphones,tablets, laptops, wearable smart devices, etc.) that offer a rich typeof information, for example, multimedia information in addition to voiceand text, rather than land-based telephone lines, provides anopportunity for collecting the combined information available at allthese devices, regarding an emergency situation at an EDC and/or an EMS,thus improving the response to an emergency situation. As a result,sensed information from various devices placed in homes and officebuildings can be extremely useful if communicated to EDCs in the case ofan emergency situation. One way to do this is to communicate informationfrom these sensors to a user communication device, for example, a mobilewireless device, and have the mobile wireless device further communicatethe information received from these sensors to the appropriate EDCs.However, this method requires two communication “hops” and also dependson the communication between the sensors and the mobile devices beingavailable. At times this is a restriction, and the sensor may be able tosend information directly to an EDC, or emergency management system(“EMS”), without the need for first sending this information to a usercommunication device, for example, a mobile device, and the EDC and/orEMS will be able to directly call the sensor to retrieve real-time andstored information from the particular sensor. Therefore, there is anopportunity for a system and method for providing a universal callingnumber for various sensors to improve situational awareness for thepurpose of emergency response.

Given the increasing adoption of sensor networks, also popularly knownas an “Internet of Things” (“IOT”) in office and residential locationsto sense and control environmental variables, it has been founddesirable in accordance with one or more embodiments that theinformation sensed from these sensor networks on a periodic basis beused in responding to emergency situations in a real-time fashion. Byproviding a rich context that is both sensitive to and situationallyaware of the emergency situation being responded to, while also offeringthe ability to query one or more of the many sensors for specificinformation that may or may not be included in the periodically sensedinformation from that sensor, and also allowing for reception of a callfrom an EMS and/an EDC for purpose of responding to an emergencysituation, received at the one of many sensors in the sensor network viaa data communication network, for example, the Internet, or via a Wi-Finetwork, and actively managing this call, aspects and embodiments of thepresent invention enhances and builds upon the current IOT systems.

Historically, a dispatcher at an EDC, for example, a PSAP or an EMS, hasnot been able to place a call for requesting information sensed at asensor in a wireless sensor network, for example, one in an IOT network,in the process of responding to an emergency situation. Further, whencalls for requesting emergency assistance are placed via mobile wirelessdevices there is currently no method to communicate directly with, andextract in real-time, sensed information from the sensors placed in theenvironment containing the mobile wireless device, for example, anoffice or residential building, and utilize such information to betterrespond to the emergency situation. Thus, users have not historicallybeen able to receive benefit from the multitude of real-time sensedinformation around their environment in the case of an emergency andbuild on this knowledge to minimize the impact of emergency situationsor even avoid emergency situations. Accordingly, if an EDC, for example,a PSAP, wishes to place a VoIP call over a data communication channel toany of the sensors in a wireless sensor network in the process ofresponding to an emergency situation, it has historically been unable todo so due to the lack of a number to call for communicating with thesensor. Moreover, historically, the EDC and/or the EMS, based on wherethe user communication device is calling from and when the last updateproviding identification information, types, capabilities in terms ofaccessing communication channels, for example, Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi andsending critical sensed data over these channels, calling number andother information of the installed devices at the particular location ofthe user communication device received at the EDC and/or the EMS, theEDC and/or the EMS would not have information about the call backnumber, even if one is assigned, to one or more of the sensors in an IOTframework, and hence would not be able to place a data call forrequesting sensed information for the purpose of emergency response.

One advantage of the devices, platforms, methods, and media describedherein is that they enable sensors in a wireless network to have a phonenumber assigned to them so that another communication device, forexample, a communication device at an EDC and/or an EMS, a smart phone,or a mobile wireless device, can place a data call to a sensor in thewireless network and request sharing of sensed information for thepurposes of emergency response from the sensor in the wireless networkand upon receiving this information the EDC, for example, a PSAP or anEMS, can actively share this information with emergency responsepersonnel in an real-time fashion to better equip the emergency responsepersonnel to provide an increasingly effective emergency response. Ithas also been found beneficial to provide a system and method forassigning a calling number, from a pool of numbers, to sensors in a IOTnetwork placed in a user's environment, by an EMS, or in some instancesan EDC, for example, a PSAP, so that the sensors can use this number toplace and receive data calls, for example, VoIP calls. These calls maybe placed from or to an EDC or an EMS in the process of activelyresponding to a request for emergency assistance from a usercommunication device of a user in the vicinity of the IOT sensor networkthat the given sensor is a part of. The sensors in the IOT sensornetwork may have information that the EMS or EDC can use to moreeffectively respond to the current emergency situation. Further, it hasalso been found desirable to provide a method to allow a EMS or an EDC,to maintain a database of the phone numbers and identifying informationof the sensors within its service area, including identifyinginformation about the networks, specifically the IOT networks, thatcontain these sensors, and information about the users, that are in theregion of influence of these sensors as defined by the sensing region ofthese sensors, for example, location information of the users, asidentified by the number assigned to their communication devices, homelocation, IP address, or current geographic location of thecommunication device of the user, so that these sensors can be useful inproviding additional information in the case that a request foremergency assistance is received from a user in their region ofinfluence.

Various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein include methods andsystems which fulfill one or more of these needs or desires.

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a method of assigning aphone number on a permanent basis from a pool of numbers at an EMS or anEDC to sensors in a wireless network that enables these sensors toreceive a data call from another communication device, for example, asmart phone or a mobile wireless device at an EDC or an EMS to requestadditional information from the sensor. The sensor in turn shares sensedinformation with the EDC or EMS, and upon receiving this information theEDC, for example, a PSAP or an EMS, actively shares this informationwith emergency response personnel in a real-time fashion to better equipthe emergency response personnel to provide an increasingly effectiveresponse to a request for emergency assistance. In such an embodiment,the sensor, in a wireless or a wired sensor network, for example a IOTnetwork, has information about the sensor stored at the EMS or the EDC,such that the calling information, for example, a phone numberassociated with the sensor, is stored at a database at the EMS or theEDC. A telephone number is associated with a particular sensor, for toparticular sensing network, and for a particular geographic region. Insome instances, the calling information is also associated with certainusers, based on the association of the users with the sensors. Theassociation of the users with the sensors may be determined usingseveral factors, for example, location information of the user and thesensor in the sensing network, ownership of the sensor as assigned tothe user, a “home location” where the sensor is registered and the useris using as a primary residence. If there is a change in the identifyinginformation of the sensor, for example, the location of operation, theEMS or EDC is notified about this change and the EMS or EDC, makes theappropriate updates in their local databases so that the sensor isassociated with the users that are within the region of influence of thesensor and a new phone number is assigned to the sensor if such a needarises due to the change in physical location of the sensor. Further, insuch an embodiment, the EMS or the EDC, is able to add sensors to anon-going session hosting the emergency response for a request foremergency assistance between the EMS and the user communication device,and share with these sensors any relevant information, for example, textmessages, multimedia messages including multi-media messaging systemmessages, videos, images, GPS information and any other form ofmulti-media messages, and also share any information sent from thesensor to the EMS or the EDC, with other sensors included in the datasession, with the user via the user communication device, and/or withthe first responders assigned to the request for emergency assistanceand manage. This information may be shared for the duration of theemergency response and saved for later reference. Further, in such anembodiment, the EMS or the EDC performs a search in the local databaseat the EMS or the EDC for sensors available in a given geographic areathat is in the service area of the EMS or the EDC, and also includes thelatest location estimate of the user communication device, as receivedfrom the device or from other sources on the network, for example, acellular network base station, and upon finding sensors that are locatedin the service area of the EMS or the EDC, and that are also in thevicinity of the latest location estimate of the user communicationdevice, the location environment parameters can be sensed by the sensor.In such an embodiment the EMS or the EDC makes a decision regarding theassociation with the user via the defined sensing region of sensors inquestion, and the location information of the users, as identified bythe home location, IP address, current geographic location of thecommunication device of the user, and other factors identifying thelocation and type of user and the type of the request for emergencyassistance so that a sensor can be chosen for the same.

In certain embodiments the sensed parameter, sensed by the sensor of thesensor network, may be a parameter of an environmental characteristic,for example, temperature, pressure, air flow, amount of ambient light inthe vicinity of the sensor, amplitude and/or frequency variations ofsound vibrations in the vicinity of the sensor, electromagnetic fieldvariations, or other environmental parameters sensed by the sensor.

In certain embodiments, the sensors host an application client thatinitiates, or responds to, a communication session with the EMS or theEDC and constructs and sends, using hardware provided by the sensor, amessage including an indication of the sensed information to the EMS orthe EDC.

In certain embodiments, the sensor contacted for requesting sensedinformation by the EMS or the EDC for purpose of emergency response isassigned a calling number while the request for emergency assistance isbeing processed by the EMS or the EDC. The sensor uses this phone numberfor the duration of the session used for responding to the emergency andin some instances continues to keep this number as the calling numberfor the sensor for other devices, including the EMS and the EDC, toplace a data call to the sensor.

In certain embodiments, the sensor network is placed in a residentialenvironment.

In certain embodiments, the sensor network is placed in a corporateoffice environment.

In certain embodiments, the sensor network is placed in an industrialfactory environment.

In certain embodiments, the sensor network is placed in a public space,for example, a public park, museum, shopping mall, or other populatedpublic area.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for the sensor in a sensor network to be assigned acalling number that is able to be used even if the user moves from agiven location in one area code to another location in a difference areacode, and a data call placed to the sensor from an EMS or an EDC isrouted to the sensor in the new area code and the latest locationestimate of the sensor is shared with the EMS and/or the EDC.

In certain embodiments, the sensors host an application client thatinitiates and manages transmission of the warning signal and request foremergency response using hardware provided by the sensor, for example,the communication interface of the sensor, and manages communicationsessions with other sensors in the sensor network.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a wearable device forsending an emergency alert. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of oneembodiment of a wearable device for sending an emergency alert. Thewearable device 102 may have several components including a display anduser interface 112 which will allow the user 100 to interact with thewearable device 102. In some embodiments, the display 112 may be a touchscreen, which is capable of displaying information and taking userinput. In some embodiments, the user interface 112 may have physicaland/or soft-buttons such as buttons for activating and deactivating anemergency alert or for sending a request for emergency assistance tolocal emergency responders. In addition, there may be buttons forsending an indication of the emergency including the type of emergency(e.g., fire, medical, police, car crash, etc.) to emergency responders.In some embodiments, the wearable device 102 may send situationalinformation about the emergency situation for effective and efficientemergency response.

In some embodiments, the wearable device 102 includes one or moresensors 122 for sensing various health indicators of the user 100 orother people in need. Health indicators may include various attributesof the body that measure the health of a person such as heart rate,pulse, blood pressure, blood sugar, etc. In some embodiments, the sensor116 may sense environmental characteristics in the area where the user100 is located. Environmental characteristics may include the level ofparameters such as smoke, carbon monoxide, radioactivity, temperature,water, chemical, etc., that may indicate that there is an emergencysituation and/or provide situational awareness regarding an emergency.For example, the sensor 116 may include a pulse-rate sensor, a bloodpressure sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, a heart-rate sensor, atemperature sensor, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide monitor, agyroscope, an accelerometer, etc.

In some embodiments, the sensor 116 may trigger an emergency alert basedon sensed information. The wearable device may send the emergency alertusing the network element 118. The network element 118 (e.g., an antennaand associated components, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, etc.) may send and receiveinformation to the Internet and/or nearby IoT and other devices. In someembodiments, the network element may scan the airways to detect andcommunicate with communication devices and routing devices in thevicinity.

In some embodiments, the wearable device 102 may include one or moresoftware applications 104 for sending the emergency alert. Theapplication 104 may be pre-installed in the wearable device 102 or maybe downloaded and installed by the user 100. It is contemplated that theuser 100 or a healthcare provider or caregiver may provide information(e.g., a prioritized list of communication devices, threshold ranges forvarious health indicators or environmental characteristics) into theapplication 104 that may be used during an emergency situation. Variousembodiments of the application 104 will be described and depicted later.

In some embodiments, the wearable device may include a centralprocessing unit or processor 114, a memory 116 (e.g., an EPROM memory, aRAM, a solid-state memory). In some embodiments, the wearable device isequipped with a global positioning system (GPS). The GPS may generateand collect locational information that may be sent with the emergencyalert.

In some embodiments, the wearable device 102 may include variousaccessories 124 that may allow various functionality and customizations.The accessories 124 may include a microphone (e.g., for input of voicefrom user 100), a camera 1611 (e.g., for input of gestures commands orpictures from the user 100), speakers, fingerprint reader, USB/micro-USBport, headphone jack, a card reader, SIM card slot, etc.

The wearable device 102 may be worn by the user 100 or attached to hisor her body. In some embodiments, the wearable device 102 may have aholster 126 (not shown) that can be strapped to the user's body parts(e.g., wrist, leg, waist, head, fingers, etc.). After an emergency alertis initiated either by a user or triggered in another way, the sensor orwearable device may search for a communication device that can send theemergency alert. FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of theinvention showing a wearable device 202 communicating with other devicesthrough direct and indirect communication links. An indication of anemergency alert from a wearable device 202 may be sent to acommunication device 206 wherein a suitable data communication link 222,for example a digital communication session setup using a Transportprotocol for example Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), may beestablished between the wearable device 102 and the communication device101. The user 200 may initiate an emergency alert using an applicationclient 204 installed on the wearable device 202, the application client208 on a communication device 206 (e.g., a mobile phone), a tablet, alaptop or desktop and other such devices. It is contemplated that anapplication could be hardwired into the wearable device 102 forinitiating the emergency alert.

In some embodiments, the application client 204 may include a displayand user interface 212 and be capable of displaying a plurality ofuser-friendly buttons or soft keys 213, each button corresponding to aparticular type of emergency situation. Selection of a button 213 by theuser 200 may cause an emergency indication to be sent to thecommunication device 101 based on the emergency associated with thebutton. In some embodiments, the user 200 may initiate the emergencyalert by pressing a button 215 on the interface 218 in the communicationdevice 206 with application 208.

In some cases, the wearable device 202 may be connected to a datanetwork and/or the Internet and may be able to send the alert to the EDCvia EMS. However, in many cases, the wearable device may not be able todirectly send the emergency alert because it may not have the capabilityor due to inadequate connectivity. In such cases, responsive toselection of one of the buttons 213, the wearable device 202 may searchfor a communication device 206, for example, a mobile phone, usingeither a direct wireless data communication link 222 or an indirect datacommunication link 224, 226 via a routing or intermediary device 219,such as a Wi-Fi router. The wearable device 202 may first attempt tolocate and establish a data communication link, for example, a Wi-Fi,Bluetooth®, an “ad-hoc wireless mesh”, ZigBee, PAN, or any other form ofa wireless communication protocol-based communication session with thecommunication device 206 utilizing a direct wireless data communicationlink 222.

In some cases, the direct wireless data communication link 222 cannot beestablished with a communication device 206 or the quality of the datacommunication link 222 is not good. For example, the communicationdevice 206 may be too far from the wearable device 202. The wearabledevice 202 may evaluate the quality of the data communication link 222based on various link quality parameters such as a received signalstrength indicator, channel latency, error-rate and so on. When thequality of the data communication link 222 is insufficient, the wearabledevice 202 may initiate a data communication link with a computernetworking device or routing device 210, such as a Wi-Fi router a hub orother such computer networking devices, and may establish an indirectdata connection 224, 226 with the communication device 206 via thecomputer networking device 210. Once a data communication link isestablished with the communication device 206 (e.g., through exchange ofcontrol signals), the wearable device 202 sends an initiation of anemergency alert to the communication device 206 and actively manages thedata communication link between the wearable device 202 and thecommunication device 206. If the wearable device 202 detects that anestablished indirect data communication link 224, 226 is not performingas needed and a direct data communication link is available with othercommunication devices in the vicinity, the wearable device 102 mayattempt to establish communication with such devices (not shown). Thus,the wearable device 202 establishes a communication link with acommunication device 206 or the routing device 210, both of which mayact as the connected device.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of a method for sending analert to an emergency dispatch center (“EDC”) by a wearable device 202using a communication device 206 (see FIG. 2). In some embodiments, oneindividual (e.g., user 200) may be the primary user for bothcommunication device 206 and wearable device 202. When an alert isinitiated 312 by the wearable device 202, the wearable device 202 mayaccess a list communication devices for sending the emergency alert tothe EDC 314. If the wearable device 202 is able to establish acommunication link with the first device on the list 316, it will sendthe emergency alert to be forwarded to the EDC. After the wearabledevice 202 sends the emergency alert and receives a positiveconfirmation 318, it actively manages the data session 322.

In some embodiments, upon receiving a positive confirmation, the device202 waits for status updates from the EDC and actively manages the datacommunication link 322 between the wearable device 202 and the firstcommunication device 206. If the wearable device 202 does not receive apositive confirmation 318, it waits for a set period and checks foranother device on the list 328. If after this period of time thewearable device 102 is not able to find any devices then it waits forthe same period of time and tries again 326. If another device is found333, then the wearable device attempts to establish a communication link316 with the device 316, 318 to send an emergency alert.

If the wearable device 202 is not able to reach the first communicationdevice on the list after maximum retries (316, 324, 326), the wearabledevice 202 may move on to the next communication device on the list 328.In some embodiments, if the maximum number of connection retries isreached 324 and the wearable device 202 is unsuccessful in reachingfirst communication device on the list, the wearable device 202 thenattempts to reach a routing device (not shown). If the wearable device202 is unable to reach any devices, it may cancel the requests andinforms the user 332.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of the system for sending anemergency alert via different types of communication devices. A sensor412, installed with application 414, senses an emergency situation,either via the sensed parameter values by the sensing component of thesensor 412. In some embodiments, the sensor 4122 may be sensing aparameter which is an environmental characteristic, (e.g., temperature,motion, smoke, carbon monoxide, etc.). In some embodiments, the sensor412 may be sensing a health indicator such as a pulse/heart-rate, ablood pressure, a blood glucose, etc. The user 400 may also initiate theemergency alert using button 419 on the sensor 412 or 415 on thecommunication device 406.

In some embodiments, the sensor is a wearable device. In someembodiments, the emergency alert may be a multi-media message includingsituational awareness information to allow for effective and efficientresponse. In one aspect, the emergency alert may include a request foremergency assistance, one or more information about the user oradministrator, one or more locational information and one or more sensedparameters. In some embodiments, the multi-media message includesdifferent types of data including text, image, sound and/or video. Insome embodiments, the sensed data may include current and previouslysensed parameters and/or a moving average (MA) of the sensed parameters.

In some embodiments, the sensor 412 may be a sensor in sensor network oran internet-enabled device. Once the sensor 412 confirms that a requestfor emergency assistance has to be sent to an EDC or an EMS 452, thesensor 412 may construct a request for emergency assistance and scan theairways for available communication devices 406, 436, 446 or a routingdevice 410, to associate with and to send the request via communicationdevice 406.

The sensor 412 may analyze the connection with various availabledevices, for example, communication device 406 (running application 408)or an indirect communication link with another communication device 406(running application 408) using a Wi-Fi router 410, by estimating thequality of the data communication link (422, 426, 432) based on variouslink quality parameters, for example, a received signal strengthindicator, channel latency, or error-rate. In some embodiments, the user400 may be primary user of the communication device 406. But, in otherembodiments, there may be another person, such as a family member, whomay be the primary user of the communication device 406.

Once a suitable communication device (406, 436, 446) for establishing adirect communication link is found or a routing device 410 andcommunication device 406 is found for establishing an indirectcommunication link, the sensor 412 connects to the suitablecommunication device via a communication link (422, 442, 426, 432) andsends the request for emergency assistance to the connected device. Ifthe connected device is one of the communication devices (406, 436,446), it then regenerates the emergency request to be formatted to besent over a communication link (424, 446, 428, 434). In someembodiments, the communication links (424, 446, 428, 434) are cellularchannels, and may send the request to an appropriate EDC 450 serving theparticular locality. If the connected device is a routing device 410,then the sensor 412 associates with the routing device 410 via a Wi-Fichannel. If available, the routing device 410 sends the request foremergency assistance to an EDC 450 (not shown) directly over thecommunication link 448. In other embodiments, the routing device 410will send the alert via communication device 406 via communication links444, 446. Once the EDC 450 (not shown) confirms receipt of the requestfor emergency assistance, the communication device (406, 436, 446) orrouting device 410 may inform the sensor 412 and forward other updatesfrom the EDC 450 (not shown).

FIG. 5 is an illustration of one embodiment of a system for sending anemergency alert. The system includes a sensor 512 connecting to arouting device 510 for sending a request for emergency assistance to anEDC 550. In some embodiments, the sensor 512 with installed application514 may perform a scan of the airways and choose a routing device 510,for example, a Wi-Fi router, to associate with and send the request foremergency assistance to an EDC 550. The sensor 512 may send anassociation request to the routing device 510 via communication link542, once the sensor 512 chooses to associate with the routing device510 of all the devices available to connect to, based on channel qualityindicators, for example, a received signal strength indicator, channellatency, error-rate, etc.

If the routing device 510 requires authentication to be performed, itmay send signals to the sensor 512 to indicate that routing device 510needs authentication to be performed before the request for emergencyassistance can be forwarded to an EDC 550. In some embodiments, the user500 may provide authentication through the sensor 512 or the routingdevice 510. Once authentication is performed, the sensor 512 may sendthe request for emergency assistance to the routing device 510, and therouting device 510 in-turn may forward the request to an EmergencyManagement System (“EMS”) 530 via a communication link 552. The EMS 530then may determine which EDC 550 to send this request for emergencyassistance based on proximity to the location of the emergency,resources and staff available at the EDC, etc. In some embodiments, theEMS 530 may send the request via a data communication link 562 or acombination of a data communication link 106 and a TDM call via a PSTN564 and a gateway 540. It is envisioned the present system will be ableto send emergency alert to EDCs in some municipalities that does nothave capacity to receive digital calls. If the EDC 550 does not havedigital capacity, the emergency alert has to be sent through anemergency voice call session.

The EMS 530 may then forward a response from the EDC 530 to the routingdevice 510, and it may forward these responses to the sensor 512. Insome embodiments, the EMS may send “positive confirmation” in the formof signaling, http, push notifications, etc., to the sensor 102. Thesensor 102 may then respond to these messages by the EDC 115, if thesensor 102 deems that a response is necessary. In some cases, the sensor102 may display the information on a display and user interface 528 withbuttons 529 for the benefit of the user 500. The routing device 510 maythen actively manage the data communication link 554 between the sensor512 and the EDC 550. Active management may involve sending updates fromthe sensor 512 to the EDC 550, and from the EDC 550 to the sensor 512,as requested by the sensor 512 or the EDC 550 during the length of theemergency call session or communication link. In some embodiments, theuser 500, the EDC 550, or the emergency response team may terminate thecall session or communication link.

In one aspect, a system is disclosed for sending an emergency alertincluding a sensor, a communication device, an EMS and an EDC. As shownin FIG. 6, in one embodiment, a sensor 612 comprises a display and userinterface 628 with buttons 629 and installed with application 614. Thesensing component senses one or more parameters, such as environmentalcharacteristics and/or health parameters and the communication componentis able to establish a communication link 622 for sending and receivinginformation. The communication device 606 with display & user interface618, buttons 615 and installed application 608 is able to participate inthe communication link 622. In some embodiments, the EMS 630 receivesthe emergency alert from the communication device and for processing andforwarding the emergency alert to an EDC 650.

In some embodiments, the sensor 612 may perform a scan of the airwaysusing the communication module (not shown) and may choose acommunication device 606, for example, a cellular communication device,to associate to and send the request for emergency assistance. Thesensor 612 may choose to associate with the communication device 606based on channel quality indicators, for example, a received signalstrength indicator, channel latency, error-rate, etc. Then, the sensor612 may attempt to establish a communication link with the cellularcommunication device 606.

If the communication device 606 requires authentication to be performed,it will send signals to the sensor 612 to indicate that communicationdevice 606 needs authentication to be performed before it can re-formatand forward the request for emergency assistance to an EDC 450. In someembodiments, the user 600 may authenticate the communication through thesensor 612 or communication device 606. After authentication, the sensor612 may send the request for emergency assistance to the communicationdevice 606. The communication device 606, which is a cellular phone inthis case, may in-turn format the request for emergency assistance to besent over end-to-end communication links, for example a TDM channel or adata communication link based on Internet Protocol. In some cases, thecommunication device 606 may add other information, for example,location of the cellular device and the sensor, any multimediainformation about the geographic location of the sensor 612 (which maybe the GPS information in multi-media format) and the communicationdevice 606, any user-inputted information, video feeds of the geographiclocation, meta-data about the user 600, readings from the sensor 612 andany other available information that can build situational awarenessabout the emergency. In some embodiments, the readings form sensor 612may indicate that the emergency situation is stable or becoming acute,or improving. For example, a smoke detector sensor could indicate if theuser or others were able to alleviate a fire emergency by using a fireextinguisher.

In some cases, the communication device 606 may forward the re-formattedrequest for assistance to an EMS 630 via a data communication link 624.Sometimes, the alert may be sent through cell tower 638 and gateway 642via data communication links 652, 656. The EMS 630 may decide which EDC650 to send this request based on factors referred to above. In someembodiments, the EMS 630 may send the request to the appropriate EDC 650via a data communication link 624 or a combination of data communicationlink 642 and a TDM call via a PSTN 644 and gateway 640. The EMS 630 maythen forward a response from the EDC 650 to the communication device606, and the communication device 606 may then forward these responsesto the sensor 612. The sensor 612 may then respond to these messages bythe EDC 650, if needed. In some cases, the information may be displayedon a display and user interface 618 on the sensor 612 for the benefit ofthe user 600. The communication device 606 may then manage the datacommunication link (e.g., 622, 624, 626) between the sensor 612 and theEDC 650 and send updates. As needed, the sensor 612 and the EDC 650 maycontinue to communicate during the length of the emergency communicationsession.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a method by which a sensor or awearable device may trigger and send an emergency alert. The sensor 612(see FIG. 6) may sense environmental characteristics through a sensingcomponent on the sensor 612 and may calculate a moving average (MA) ofthese sensed values 712.

In some embodiments, the sensor may trigger an emergency alert when thesensed parameter is outside of a predefined threshold range (TR). Thethreshold range may be inputted by the user, setup during installing andupdated by the user or other authorized agents. The advantage ofcalculating a moving average (MA) is that it will reduce the impact of afew aberrant sensor measurements and trigger the alarm if severalmeasurements are outside the predefined range. It is contemplated thatother functions and algorithms may be used in the place of or inaddition to MA.

The sensor may then compare the MA to a set of threshold ranges for eachenvironmental variable sensed by the sensor 714. If the MA of theenvironmental characteristics is within range TR 716, then the sensormay return to sensing the environmental characteristics by waiting forthe next sample interval to sense the values and calculate a new MA forthe sensed environmental characteristics. If the MA of the sensedenvironmental value is not in TR, the sensor may activate the emergencyalert 718. To send the alert, the sensor may scan the environment aroundit, by generally scanning the airways for electromagnetic signals, todetect a communication device 722, or a routing device 732 to associatewith in order to send a request for emergency assistance to an EDC 734.

In some embodiments, the sensor may compare the sensed parameter to apredefined warning range. In some embodiments, if the sensed parameteris outside of the predefined warning range, the sensor may send awarning signal to the communication device and the warning may beforwarded to an EDC with user input.

If a communication device is found 724 then the sensor sends anassociation request to the communication device 728. If the associationwith the communication device is not successful 736, then the sensor mayreturn to scanning the airways 722 for another communication 724 orrouting device 732. Upon successful association with the device 736, thesensor sends request for emergency assistance via the communicationdevice 738. The communication device that is used for sending theemergency alert may be referred to as the connected device. Thecommunication device may wait for a response from the EDC via theconnected device, and responds to the requests from the EDC 742 via theconnected device while also updating the user about any specificmessages given by the EDC. When there is no communication deviceavailable for association 724, the sensor checks if it has detected arouting device 732. If no routing device is found 732, then the sensorbroadcasts a request for emergency response over a communication linkavailable to the sensor via the communication module of the sensor 734.If a routing device is found 732 then the sensor may send an associationrequest to the routing device 728. If the association with the routingdevice is not successful (act), then the sensor may return to scanningthe airways for another communication or routing device 726. Uponsuccessful association with the routing device 103 736, the sensorplaces a call for emergency assistance. Subsequently, the sensor mayrespond to requests for information (e.g., temperature, pressure, smokelevel, etc.) from the EDC 742 via the connected device while alsoupdating the user.

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a sensor in a network that maybroadcast the emergency alert. In some embodiments, the sensor is in awirelessly connected network such as an IoT network, a wireless sensornetwork or a wireless sensor and actuator network. A sensor (such assensor 612 in FIG. 6) may be in a sensor network (not shown). When asensor receives a request for emergency assistance from another sensorin the sensor network, it re-broadcasts this request, and updates theinformation in the request, if updated information is available. It isunderstood that the sensor network may be WSN or WSAN. A sensor in asensor network may detect reception of a request for emergencyassistance at the communication module of the sensor 812. The sensorthen compares the “sensor ID” in the received signal to verify if therequest is from another sensor in the same, or different, sensor network814. If the same sensor is the originating sensor of the request 816,then the sensor may check if there is updated situational awarenessabout the request for emergency assistance 832. The sensor may check thesensed signal at the sensing component or by another method, and upondetecting no new information to send the sensor may stop the process andre-broadcast alert after a wait time 834. If the sensor detects newinformation about the request for emergency assistance 832, it mayconstruct a new signal representing the updated sensed values and maybroadcast this new information along with a re-broadcast of the originalrequest for emergency assistance 826.

Upon detecting that the sensor ID in the request for emergencyassistance is different from the receiving sensor's ID 816, the sensormay check if the same request for emergency assistance was broadcast bythe sensor within a minimum time-frame prior to reception of the request818. If the same request for emergency assistance was broadcast 818,then the sensor may checks if there is updated information about therequest for emergency assistance 832, either via checking the sensedsignal at the sensor module of the sensor or by another method, and upondetecting no new information to send the sensor stops the process andre-broadcast periodically 834. If the sensor detects new informationabout the request for emergency assistance 832, it may construct a newsignal representing the updated sensed values and broadcasts this newinformation along with a re-broadcast of the original request foremergency assistance 826.

Upon detecting that the received request for emergency assistance wasnot broadcast by the receiving sensor within a minimum time-frame priorto the time of reception of the request 818, the receiving sensor maysense the environment variables that pertain to this request from thesensor module on the sensor and verifies if this new information willenhance the received request for emergency assistance 822, 824. If thesensor detects new information, it may check if this new informationwill enhance the request for emergency assistance 824. If the sensordecides that it will enhance the received request for emergencyassistance, it may construct a new signal representing the updatedsensed values and broadcast this new information along with are-broadcast of the original request for emergency assistance 826. Ifthe sensor detects that this new information will not enhance thereceived request for emergency assistance 824 it re-broadcasts theoriginal request for emergency assistance 828.

For example, during an emergency situation such as a fire, the firstresponders that arrive at the scene may be able to receive there-broadcast alert with sensed information (i.e., the augmented alert).As the responders approach the site of the emergency, they may activatea Wi-Fi receiver to receive information from smoke sensors in thevicinity. In this way, the first responders may gather additionalsituational awareness about the emergency and respond appropriately. Insome embodiments, the first responders may be able to send a request forinformation from sensors in the vicinity to identify people and pets inan indoor location during a fire.

In some embodiments, an EMS 630, or an EDC 650 (see FIG. 6), may requestsituational awareness information from sensors 612, identified to be inthe vicinity of the user communication device 606 requesting emergencyassistance. FIG. 9 is an illustration of one embodiment of a method forsending a query to a sensor for updated sensed parameters. When the EMSreceives a request for emergency assistance from a user communicationdevice for example a wearable device, the EMS may forward it to the EDC912. Then, the EMS may send a query to a database of IoT devicesassociated with that location (e.g., address) or user. IoT devices mayinclude temperature sensors, or pressure sensors, which may haveaddition information about the emergency situation. In some embodiments,the database may include communication devices associated with aphysical address or user.

Upon receiving a returned list of IoT devices that may have situationalawareness information about the emergency from the database, the EMS mayrequest to establish a communication link with each of these sensors,either directly or via in-directly via an intermediate device forexample an routing device hosted at the location of the sensors beingcontacted 916. When the communication link is established, acommunication session with these individual sensors can be held. In thecommunication session, the EMS may request pertinent information storedon the sensor about the on-going request for emergency assistance thatis being responded to. Once the EMS has received information from all,or at least a majority of sensors, the EMS may combine the informationreceived from each of the sensors and share the combined informationwith the EDC currently serving the request for emergency assistance 932.

In some embodiments, the EDC or EMS may assign unique numbers to eachindividual sensor so they can be called for information during anemergency. In some embodiments, the unique number assigned to individualsensors may follow a set format wherein the unique number assigned to agiven sensor is sensitive to the location, type and housing structurewhere the sensor is located. In some embodiments, the sensor name can beused to identify the area and building where the sensor is location.

In some embodiments, the wearable device 1002 may attempt to establishcommunication links with a plurality of communication devices throughdirect or indirect communication links for sending the emergency alertas shown in FIG. 10. As shown, a wearable device 1002 with installedapplication 1004 sends the emergency alert to an EDC or EMS 1052 via acommunication device 1006 with installed application 1008. As depicted,the communication device 1006 may be a phone, a desktop 1036, a tablet1046. The wearable device 1002 may maintain a list of communicationdevices that can potentially be used to send the emergency alert viacommunication links 1022, 1024, 1026, 1028, 1032,1034. In someembodiments, the wearable device 1002 maintains a prioritized list ofcommunication devices 1006, 10036, 10046, using pre-defined priorities,in the list of communication devices stored at the wearable device 1002.In some embodiments, the user 1000 may identify the communicationdevices included in the prioritized list and may assign the priority. Inother embodiments, without user input, the prioritized list may begenerated in the wearable device 1002 based on variables such asproximity, signal strength from the communication devices or “recentlyconnected devices.”

Based on the prioritized list, the wearable device 1002 may attempt toestablish a direct data communication link 1022, 1024 with thecommunication device 1006. Upon a failure to do so, the wearable device1002 may then attempt to establish a data communication link with asecond communication device in the prioritized list of communicationdevices and so on until a successful data communication link isestablished between the wearable device 1002 and one of thecommunication devices and positive confirmation is received from the EDC1005 (for example, along communication link 1024, 1028, 1034, about theindication of the emergency alert sent by the wearable device 1002. Itis understood that “positive confirmation” referred to herein may referto an acknowledgement (or an “ack” message) or a human-initiatedconfirmation or analog signal from the EDC. For example, if the EDC 1050or EMS 1030 (not shown) responds to the emergency alert, the wearabledevice 1002 may receive SIP signals.

In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the wearable device 1002may use an algorithm to choose the fastest and most efficient link tosend the emergency alert. So, the wearable device 1002 may attempt toestablish to communication link with a plurality of communicationdevices (1006, 1036, 1046 simultaneously. Based on the response time andquality of the response, the wearable device 1002 may choose the bestdevice to send the emergency alert. In some cases, it may be desirablefor the wearable device 1002 to send the emergency to a plurality ofcommunication devices (1006, 1036, 1046), simultaneously.

FIG. 11 depicts one embodiment of a method by which a sensor or awearable device may choose a communication device from a list. Forexample, the wearable device 1002 may choose the communication device1006 (see FIG. 10) for establishing a data communication link 1022, 1024for sending an emergency alert to an EDC 1050. Referring to FIG. 11,when an alert is initiated 1112, the wearable device 1002 may access alist of communication devices 1114, which may be a prioritized list. Thewearable device may attempt to reach the first communication device inthe prioritized list 1116, 1118. If the wearable device is unable toreach the first device on the list and a maximum number of attempts toreach the first communication device are not exceeded 1118, 1122, thenthe wearable device may wait for a period and attempt to send the alert1134, 1136. If the first device is not reachable, the wearable devicewill find a next communication device in the list reach 1124, 1118. Insome embodiments, if a maximum number of retries are reached and allcommunication devices in the list are attempted to be reached, thewearable device may display an error message to the user (not shown) andcancels the request. If a communication device is reached, the wearabledevice sends a message including an indication of an emergency alert1126 via the communication device. Upon positive confirmation from thecommunication device, the wearable device waits for status updates fromthe communication device and actively manages the connection 1128, 1132.If a positive confirmation is not received within a specified period oftime, a “time_out” may occur (not shown). The wearable device may checkto see if there are other communication devices it can connect to 1134,1136. If other devices are found that the wearable device has not yetattempted to connect to, it may attempt to connect to the first suchdevice in the prioritized list. If the wearable device does not find acommunication device in the list that it has yet to attempt to connect(not shown), the wearable device cancels the request and displays anerror message to the user (not shown). In some embodiments, in theabsence of a prioritized list or when devices from the list arenon-responsive, the wearable device may attempt to send the emergencyalert through devices that are in the proximity or “recently connecteddevices.”

FIG. 12 depicts one embodiment of a method by which a sensor or wearabledevice may prioritize the first communication devices. The wearabledevice may detect the occurrence of an event, either a periodic time-outof a reception of a signal or a user initiated event for example arequest for emergency assistance 1212. The wearable device may thenaccess a list of first communication devices (list L5) 1214 and checksto verify if the list is empty or populated 1216. If the list is empty1216 then the wearable device may search the wireless channels fordetecting another device to pair with 1218, and then verifies if it wasable to find another wireless device to pair with 1222.

If the wearable device 102 is able to find a device to pair with 1216then it checks if the count, of how many cycles the particular pairabledevice has been found at the given priority level, is greater than apredefined threshold, D_Thresh, 1224 and if the count is indeed greaterthan D_Thresh 1224, then decrements the value of “wait_period” to nextlower value 1226 and waits for the period of time defined by“wait_period” 1232 before detecting another timeout or user based event1212. If the count is not greater than D_Thresh 1224, then the wearabledevice compares the SNR values of all the devices currently pairable orcommunicable by the wearable device in the list (L1) of firstcommunication devices 1238 and selects only the devices with a SNR valueof at least the minimum predefined value of “SNR low thresh” in order ofthe SNR value of each device, and follows this up by comparing the ACKTimeouts of the first communication devices that are selected in act1238 above 1242 and chooses devices from this list (L2) which have a ACKTimeout value of less than a predefined threshold of “ACK_max_Time”, andafter this the wearable device requests its own RSSI values as seen byindividual first communication devices in the qualified list ofcommunication devices L2 and selects devices with RSSI levels reportedto be higher than a certain predefined value “RSSI_min_level” in theorder of the RSSI value to generate a further qualified list L3 of thefirst communication devices 1242.

The received signal strength indicator (RSSI) is a measurement of thepower present in a received radio signal. The wearable device thenre-orders the list with the priority that is not based on communicationlink quality indicators 1244 and generates a list L4 and verifies to seeif any of the devices has a changed position in the list of firstcommunication devices (L5) 1246, 1248 and upon not finding any devicewith a changed position the wearable device waits for the period of timedefined by “wait_period” 1232 before detecting another timeout or userbased event 1212.

If even one of the devices has a changed position in the list of firstcommunication devices (L5) 1246, then the wearable device 102 re-ordersthe list L4 of first communication devices 101 as per the updatedparameters (list L5) to generate a final list of first communicationdevices 1248 and then chooses a first communication device from the listthat is at the highest priority in the list of first communicationdevices L5, and associates the wearable device with this chosen firstcommunication device 1252. If the wearable device is not able to find adevice to pair with 1222 then it checks if the count, of having notfound any pairable device, is greater than a predefined threshold, NDThresh 1228, and if the count is indeed greater than ND Thresh 1228,then increments the value of “wait_period” to next higher value 1234 andwaits for the period of time defined by “wait_period” 1232 beforedetecting another timeout or user based event 1212. Otherwise, thewearable device may wait for the period of time defined by “wait_period”1234 before detecting another timeout or user based event 1212 withoutincrementing the “wait_period” to the next higher value. In someembodiments, if the list of first communication devices (L5) is notempty, then the wearable device checks to see if any of the parametersabout any of the devices in the list (L5) are updated, and if none ofthe devices have any updated parameters then it waits for the period oftime defined by “wait_period” before detecting another timeout or userbased event. If even one of the devices has an updated parameter, thenit may follow the steps outlined for ACT 207 above when the ACT decides“NO” for the question asked.

FIG. 13 depicts one embodiment of a method by which a wearable devicemay trigger an emergency alert by monitoring a user's health indicators.For example, the alert may be sent to an EDC 1050 via a communicationdevice 1006 by a wearable device 1002 based on a determination of avalue of a health indicator of a user deviating from a pre-definedpreset acceptable range for the health indicator (see FIG. 10).Referring to FIG. 13, when a value pertaining to a health-indicator isreceived at the communication device from the wearable device 1312, afirst a moving-time average (MTA) of the received values pertaining tothis health-indicator is calculated 1314. If the value of MTA_count, avariable named storing the number of times the MTA value has fallenoutside a pre-defined range (R) defined for the given health-indicator1316, is determined to be larger than MTA_U_Thresh, a variable storingthe maximum value of MTA_count before a warning signal is issuedpertaining to the given health-indicator, MTA_count is reset to thevalue of MTA_U_Thresh 1318. If MTA_count is less than MTA_U_Thresh, MTAis compared to R, to check if the numerical value of MTA is within therange of values indicated by R 1322. It is understood that thepre-defined range (R) may be inserted by the user or a health-provider.If MTA is not in the range specified by R, then MTA_count is incrementedand the value of MTA_period, a variable storing the number ofconsecutive times the value of MTA was a sub-set of R, is reset to zero1322. Immediately after MTA_count is compared to MTA_U_Thresh 1338 andif the value of MTA_count is greater than value of MTA_U_Thresh, awarning signal is issued to the wearable device and the EDC by thecommunication device 101 and the periodicity of reporting of the valueof the health-indicator is increased 1342.

If the MTA_count is less than or equal to the value of MTA_U_Thresh,then the system may be instructed to wait for a predefined period oftime for the next periodic value of the health indicator 1344. As usedherein, the system includes the wearable device 1002 including one ormore sensors, the communication device 1006, the EDC 1050 (see FIG. 10),and an EMS (if present). If MTA is in the range specified by R, thenMTA_period, a variable referring to a memory location and storing thenumber of times the MTA value has consecutively fallen inside apre-defined range (R) defined for the given health-indicator 1322, theMTA_period is incremented 1324 and then compared to MTA_T_Thresh, avariable referring to a memory location and storing a number indicatinga particularly high value for MTA_period 1326. If the MTA_period valueis less than the MTA_T_Thresh then the system is instructed to wait fora predefined period of time for the next periodic value of the healthindicator 1344. If the MTA_period value is greater than the MTA_T_Threshthen the MTA_count is decremented 1328 and compared to MTA_L_Thresh, avariable referring to a memory location and storing a number indicatinga particularly low value for MTA_period 1332. If the MTA_count is lessthan the value of MTA_L_Thresh then an updated warning signal is sent tothe EDC or EMS and the periodicity of reporting that particularhealth-indicator is decreased 1334. If the MTA_count is greater thanMTA_L_Thresh, then the system is instructed to wait for a predefinedperiod of time for the next periodic value of the health indicator.

FIG. 14 depicts one embodiment of a method by which a wearable deviceadjusts the monitoring frequency of a user's health indicators. Awearable device may monitor health-indicators 1412 for the user and theenvironmental characteristics of the wearable device. On a periodicbasis, or based on request from the user or the EDC, the most currentsensed values of the predefined health-indicators are observed 1414.These values are then provided to a mathematical function wherein themoving time-average (MTA) of the past certain sensed values of theindividual health-indicators is calculated 1414 and in this case,checked to see if the MTA of the pulse-rate, also the primaryhealth-indicator in this embodiment, of the user 100 is out of apredefined range 1416, 1418. If the MTA of the pulse-rate is out ofrange a predefined maximum range, Max_RPR 1416, the wearable device mayissue a warning signal 1442, either displayed at a user-interface of thewearable device or sent to an EDC via a first communication device andan, and then waits for a specific period of time 1432 before sensing thehealth-indicators and environmental characteristics. If the MTA of thepulse-rate is not out-of-range a predefined maximum range, Max_RPR 1416,the wearable device checks if the MTA of the pulse-rate is out-of-rangea predefined minimum range, Min_RPR 1418.

In some embodiments, the wearable device increments a count, “PR_count”,if the MTA of the pulse-rate is out-of-range of the Min_RPR range 1536,and checks to verify if the PR_count has equaled or passed a minimumthreshold set for the pulse-rate to be out-of-range from the Min_RPRrange 1422. If the PR_count is indeed equaled or passed a maximumthreshold set for the pulse-rate, the wearable device issues a warningsignal, either displayed at a user-interface of the wearable device orsent to an EDC via a communication device and an EMS, and then waits fora specific period of time 1432 before sensing the health-indicators andenvironment characteristics. If the PR_count has not equaled nor passedthe maximum threshold set for the pulse-rate, i.e. the PR_count is lessthan the PR_U_Thresh 1422, then the wearable device checks to verify ifthe MTA value of the heart-rate sensed values is out of range apredefined maximum range 1444.

In some embodiments, the wearable device sends a warning signal or anemergency alert based on the MTA value. If the MTA value of theheart-rate sensed values is indeed out of range a predefined maximumrange 1444, then wearable device issues a warning signal 1442 and waitsfor a specific period of time before sensing the health-indicators andenvironment characteristics. If the MTA value of the heart-rate sensedvalues is not out of range of a predefined maximum range 1444, thenwearable device updates the EMS with the latest measured values of thepulse-rate and heart-rate, and any other health-indicators, anddecreases the periodicity of sensing and reporting health-indicatorvalues 1446. If the MTA of the pulse-rate is indeed out-of-range apredefined minimum range, Min_RPR 1418, the wearable device updates acounter for tracking the no change in pulse-rate over a period of time“PR_no_chg_period” 1422 and checks to see of the counter“PR_no_chg_period” has reached a predefined lower threshold for thecounter 1424. If indeed the counter “PR_no_chg_period” has reached apredefined lower threshold for the counter 1426, then the wearabledevice reports that the lower limit of the counter is reached and cannotbe decremented any more 1428, indicating good pulse-rate of the user atthe given time, otherwise the wearable device decrements the PR_count.

In one embodiment, provided herein are a methods for sending anemergency alert from a sensor comprising: sensing a parameter by thesensor, wherein the parameter is a health indicator of the user or oneor more environmental characteristics; comparing the parameter to one ormore predefined ranges; triggering an emergency alert when the parameteris outside of the predefined alarm range or a warning signal when theparameter is outside the predefined warning range; scanning the airwaysaround the sensor to locate one or more communicating devices; selectinga communication device based on factors including a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) of the communication device at the sensor,received signal strength of transmissions from the communication deviceat the sensor, availability of wireless or wired channels forcommunication between the sensor and the communication device,transmission delay on the communication link between the sensor and thecommunication device, and other factors indicative of quality of acommunication link between the sensor and the communication device;selecting a routing device, when the communication device isunavailable, based on factors including one or more of a received signalstrength of the routing device at the sensor, availability of wirelessor wired channels for communication between the sensor and the routingdevice, ability to authenticate with the routing device, transmissiondelay on the communication link between the sensor and the routingdevice, and other factors indicative of quality of a communication linkbetween the sensor and the routing device; establishing a communicationlink to at least one of the communication device or the routing device,wherein the routing device establishes an indirect communication linkwith a communication device; and sending one or more of the emergencyalert and warning signal via the connected device to an emergencydispatch center (EDC). In some embodiments, the sensor actively managesthe communication link with the communication device whereby the sensorcan respond with additional information. In some embodiments, the sensorfurther hosts an application client which sends the emergency alert. Insome embodiments, the connected device hosts an application client whichsends the emergency alert. In some embodiments, the sensor is in asensor network such as an IoT network, a wireless sensor network or awireless sensor and actuator network. In some embodiments, the sensor isin a wearable device. In another embodiment, provided herein are systemsfor sending an emergency alert comprising: a sensor comprising a sensormodule and a communication module, wherein the sensor module senses oneor more parameters and the communication module is able to establish acommunication link; a communication device, wherein the communicationdevice is able to participate in the communication link with the sensorand the communication device is available for sending an emergencyalert; an emergency management system (EMS) for receiving the emergencyalert from the communication device and for processing and forwardingthe emergency alert to an emergency dispatch center (EDC). In oneembodiment, the emergency alert includes situational awarenessinformation in a multi-media message.

In one embodiment, provided herein are methods for receiving a requestfor assistance from a sensor in a sensor network at an Internet enableddevice, this method comprising: determining, by the sensor, a need forrequesting emergency assistance based on a sensed parameter determinedfrom a sequence of measurements taken by the sensor regarding one ormore environmental characteristics of an environment the sensor isplaced in; selecting, by the sensor, a communication device, based on ascan of the airways around the sensor, the communication device selectedbased on factors including one or more of a received signal strengthindicator (RSSI) of the communication device at the sensor, receivedsignal strength of transmissions from the communication device at thesensor, availability of wireless or wired channels for communicationbetween the sensor and the communication device, transmission delay onthe communication channel between the sensor and the communicationdevice, and other factors indicative of quality of a communicationchannel between the sensor and the communication device; responsive todetecting that a communication device is unavailable for sending arequest for emergency assistance, selecting a routing device, based onfactors including one or more of a received signal strength of therouting device at the sensor, availability of wireless or wired channelsfor communication between the sensor and the routing device, ability toauthenticate with the routing device, transmission delay on thecommunication channel between the sensor and the routing device, andother factors indicative of quality of a communication channel betweenthe sensor and the routing device; upon selecting at least one of thecommunication device and the routing device as a connected device,setting up a communication session with the connected device, andsending a request for emergency assistance via the connected device;upon receiving a response from the connected device to the request foremergency assistance, and based on the response, changing a periodicityof reporting environment characteristics as sensed by the sensor to theconnected device by one of constructing new warning signals or sendingunformatted data to the connected device; and actively managing thecommunication session between the sensor and the connected device, andupon detecting that the connected device is unresponsive to messagessent by the sensor, scanning the airways and selecting an alternatecommunication device or routing device to send requests for emergencyassistance to an EDC.

In some embodiments, the sensor in the sensor network further hosts anapplication client which initiates a communication session with one of acommunication device or routing device, and constructs and sends, usingthe hardware provided by the sensor, a warning signal and a request foremergency response to the one of the communication device or routingdevice.

In some embodiments, the sensor and the sensor network it is placed in,are located in one of a residential environment, a corporate officeenvironment, an industrial factory environment, or a public space. Insome embodiments, the sensed parameter comprises one or more oftemperature, pressure, air flow, amount of ambient light in the vicinityof the sensor, amplitude and frequency variations of sound vibrations inthe vicinity of the sensor, electromagnetic field variations, and otherenvironmental parameters sensed by the sensor.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises initiating, by thesensor, the request for emergency response by connecting to one of acommunication device or routing device via another one or more sensorsin the same or a different sensor network that the sensor belongs to,the communication link between the sensor and the one of thecommunication device or routing device containing at least one type ofcommunication protocol linking the two. In some embodiments, the sensornetwork is an Internet of Things network containing a multitude ofsensors and a communication protocol linking the sensors to each otherand to the Internet.

In one embodiment, provided herein are methods for broadcasting arequest for assistance from a sensor in a sensor network. The methodcomprising: determining, by the sensor, a need for requesting emergencyassistance based on a sensed parameter determined from a sequence ofmeasurements taken by the sensor regarding one or more environmentalcharacteristics of an environment the sensor is placed in; detecting, bythe sensor, one of a communication device or a routing device; upondetecting, by the sensor, based on a scan of airways around the sensor,that the one of the communication device or routing device isunavailable for sending a request for emergency assistance, sending, bythe sensor, requests to other sensors in the sensor network to acceptand re-broadcast a warning signal and request for emergency response intheir area of influence; upon receiving, by the other sensors in thesensor network, the requests to re-broadcast the warning signal,re-broadcasting the warning signal by the other sensors in the sensornetwork, via communication interfaces of the other sensors in the sensornetwork, in their area of influence; upon detecting at a sensor updatedinformation about environmental characteristics sensed by the sensor,and responsive to determining that the environment characteristics arepertinent to an active request for emergency assistance sent and managedby one of the sensor or another sensor in the sensor network, includingthe updated information along with the request for emergency assistancebeing re-broadcast; and responsive to the sensor detecting the updatedinformation being the sensor that initiated the request for emergencyresponse, updating the warning signal and the request for emergencyresponse and broadcasting the updated warning signal and request foremergency response.

In some embodiments, the warning signal and the request for emergencyresponse are formatted for any Internet enabled device with an abilityto receive wireless signals at the frequency of broadcast of the sensorand to understand the signal contents.

In some embodiments, the sensor and the sensor network are located inone of a residential environment, a corporate office environment, anindustrial factory environment, or a public space.

In one embodiment, provided herein are user mobile communication devicesconfigured to receive a request from a sensor in a sensor network, theuser communication device comprising: a user interface; physicalinteraction components; a communication module configured to send andreceive messages over a communication network; and a processorconfigured to: receive a request for assistance in an emergencysituation from the sensor over one of a wireless or a wired channel, andacknowledge the request to the sensor; receive an indication of the typeof emergency contained in the request for assistance from the sensor;establish a data communication link to an EDC and send a signal to theEDC requesting emergency assistance based on the request for emergencyassistance; determine whether to update the sensor about a response fromthe EDC; and establish and manage a data communication link to a sensorin a sensor network.

In one embodiment, provided herein are routing devices configured toreceive a request for association from a sensor in a sensor network, therouting device comprising: physical interaction components; acommunications module configured to send and receive messages over acommunications network; and a processor configured to: receive a requestfor association from the sensor; make a decision to associate thesensor; perform an authentication sequence to authenticate the sensorresponsive to an authentication process being required; receive arequest for assistance in an emergency situation from the sensor overone of a wireless and a wired channel; acknowledge the request to thesensor; receive an indication of the type of emergency contained in awarning signal from the sensor; forward a request for emergencyassistance received from the sensor to an EDC of established datacommunication links and update the sensor about a response from the EDC;and

establish and manage a data communication link to the sensor.

In one embodiment, provided herein is a sensor in a sensor network andconfigured to send a request for emergency assistance, the sensorcomprising: a user interface; physical interaction components; anenvironment sensor module capable of sensing a value of an environmentalvariable and sending an indication of the value to a processor of thesensor over a communication link internal to the sensor; a communicationmodule configured to send and receive messages over a communicationnetwork; and a processor configured to: interpret data from theenvironment sensor module; construct a request for emergency assistancebased on the sensed values as reported by the environment sensor module;construct a warning signal indicating a type of emergency sensed by thesensor;

send the request for emergency assistance over one of a wired or awireless channel, to an EDC via a communication device including one ofa cellular phone and a routing device; send a request for association,and a request for authentication, responsive to an authenticationprocess being requested, to one of a routing device or a communicationdevice; receive an acknowledgment from the one of the communicationdevice or the routing device about reception of the request foremergency assistance, and receive a response from the EDC to the requestfor emergency assistance via the one of the communication device orrouting device; receive and re-broadcast a request for emergencyassistance received from another sensor in the sensor network; andestablish and manage a data communication link to one of a communicationdevice, a routing device, or other sensors in the sensor network.

In one embodiment, provided herein is a method of facilitating a datacommunication link between a user of a wearable device, user, and acommunication device, the method comprising: establishing a datacommunication link between a wearable device and a first communicationdevice, wherein the first communication device is selected from a listof communication devices maintained at the wearable device, the order ofcommunication devices in the list being prioritized based onperiodically sensed parameters including one or more of received signalstrength, number of messages not acknowledged within a specified period,delay in response of periodic signals sent from the communication deviceto the wearable device, and other indicators of quality of a datacommunication link; responsive to detection that the data communicationlink is established between the wearable device and the firstcommunication device is not responsive to messages from the wearabledevice, establishing a second data communication link with a secondcommunication device capable of constructing an emergency alert based onthe indication of emergency alert sent by the wearable device andselected from a list of devices and sending an emergency indication tothe second communication device; responsive to one of detecting that adata communication link cannot be established between the wearabledevice and any communication device in the list and upon detecting thata link between the wearable device and a first user communication deviceis severed, establishing a data communication link with an intermediatedevice, the intermediate device being a wireless router, a Wi-Fi router,a hub, or any device capable of switching digital messages between otherdevices, and establishing a data communication link between the wearabledevice and the first communication device via the intermediate device;receiving an indication of an emergency alert via a digital signal fromthe wearable device at the first communication device via the datacommunication link; constructing an emergency message at the firstcommunication device that is based on an indication of emergency alertreceived by the wearable device, the indication of emergency alert beinga form of a digital signal including at least one of an audio file, aninteractive voice response (IVR) message, a Short Message Service (SMS)text message, a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message, an e-mailmessage, an Instant Messaging (IM) message, and a message otherwiseformatted for communication over the Internet, as specified by theemergency signal sent by the wearable device; sending this emergencyalert to an emergency dispatch center; and actively managing all thedata communication links established between the wearable device and anycommunication device.

In one embodiment, provided herein is a method for providing user healthindicators to a user communication device, the method comprising:maintaining a database of one or more health indicators including one ormore of heart-rate, pulse-rate, relative-position, blood-pressure,speed, and other personal health related information measured by thewearable device, periodically measuring a value of the one or morehealth indicators with the wearable device, and receiving at thecommunication device, from the wearable device, digital signalscontaining an indication of the value of each of the one or more healthindicators in a pre-determined periodic fashion; maintaining at thecommunication device a range, the range containing one of a set ofnumeric values or a lower-limit and an upper-limit, for each of the oneor more health-indicators measured by the wearable device, andcomparing, at the communication device, a time-average of most recentvalues of each of the one or more health indicators to a respectiverange of each of the one or more health-indicators, and based on thiscomparison making a decision if one of the one or more health indicatorsis in-range or out-of-range, and upon deciding that the one of the oneor more health-indicators is out-of-range, increasing the periodicity ofreceiving at the communication device, from the wearable device, digitalsignals containing an indication of the value of the one of the one ormore health-indicators and issuing a warning signal indicating the oneof the one or more health-indicators to be out-of-range, until a timethe received values of the one of the one or more health-indicators isin-range; responsive to detecting that the data communication linkbetween the wearable device and communication device is severed, storingall periodic measured values of the one or more health-indicators at thewearable device since the last successfully received value at thecommunication device and, responsive to the data communication linkbeing re-established, receiving at the communication device, from thewearable device, all of the stored values of the one or more healthindicators from the wearable device; calculating the distance of thewearable device from the communication device, based on the signalstrength of the received digital signals, angle of arrival of themulti-path signals, and aspects of other signals received from thewearable device, and reporting this distance to an emergency dispatchcenter for the purpose of emergency response.

In one embodiment, provided herein is a user mobile communication deviceconfigured to receive an indication for emergency assistance from awearable device, the user communication device comprising: a userinterface; a communication module configured to send and receivemessages over a communication network; a location determination module;and a processor configured to: receive an indication of a location ofthe user mobile communication device from the location determinationmodule; establish a data communication link to an emergency dispatchcenter; and receive a real-time response from the wearable device to amessage from the user mobile communication device regarding an emergencyresponse.

In one embodiment, provided herein is a wearable device configured tosend a request for emergency assistance to a user mobile communicationdevice, the wearable device comprising: a user interface; acommunication module configured to send and receive messages over acommunication network; and a processor configured to: display aplurality of user-selectable emergency message indicators in the userinterface, each of the plurality of user-selectable emergency messageindicators indicative of a different type of emergency situation;receive an indication of a selection of one of the user-selectableemergency message indicators by a user; responsive to receiving theindication of the selection, generate a message including an indicationof the selected one of the user-selectable emergency message indicatorsand an indication of a value of one or more health indicators of theuser including blood-pressure, pulse-rate, temperature, speed, and otherindicators from respective hardware based modules in the wearabledevice; and transmit a message indicating the type of emergency selectedby the user in the user selectable interface and an indication of thevalues of the one or more health indicators via the communication moduleto the user mobile communication device.

Digital Processing Device

In some embodiments, the platforms, media, methods and applicationsdescribed herein include a digital processing device, a processor, oruse of the same. In further embodiments, the digital processing deviceincludes one or more hardware central processing units (CPU) that carryout the device's functions. In still further embodiments, the digitalprocessing device further comprises an operating system configured toperform executable instructions. In some embodiments, the digitalprocessing device is optionally connected a computer network. In furtherembodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected tothe Internet such that it accesses the World Wide Web. In still furtherembodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to acloud computing infrastructure. In other embodiments, the digitalprocessing device is optionally connected to an intranet. In otherembodiments, the digital processing device is optionally connected to adata storage device.

In accordance with the description herein, suitable digital processingdevices include, by way of non-limiting examples, server computers,desktop computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, sub-notebookcomputers, netbook computers, netpad computers, set-top computers,handheld computers, Internet appliances, mobile smartphones, tabletcomputers, personal digital assistants, video game consoles, andvehicles. Those of skill in the art will recognize that many smartphonesare suitable for use in the system described herein. Those of skill inthe art will also recognize that select televisions, video players, anddigital music players with optional computer network connectivity aresuitable for use in the system described herein. Suitable tabletcomputers include those with booklet, slate, and convertibleconfigurations, known to those of skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes an operatingsystem configured to perform executable instructions. The operatingsystem is, for example, software, including programs and data, whichmanages the device's hardware and provides services for execution ofapplications. Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitableserver operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples,FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD®, Linux, Apple® Mac OS X Server®, Oracle®Solaris®, Windows Server®, and Novell® NetWare®. Those of skill in theart will recognize that suitable personal computer operating systemsinclude, by way of non-limiting examples, Microsoft® Windows®, Apple®Mac OS X®, UNIX®, and UNIX-like operating systems such as GNU/Linux®. Insome embodiments, the operating system is provided by cloud computing.Those of skill in the art will also recognize that suitable mobile smartphone operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, Nokia®Symbian® OS, Apple® iOS®, Research In Motion® BlackBerry OS®, Google®Android®, Microsoft® Windows Phone® OS, Microsoft® Windows Mobile® OS,Linux®, and Palm® WebOS®.

In some embodiments, the device includes a storage and/or memory device.The storage and/or memory device is one or more physical apparatusesused to store data or programs on a temporary or permanent basis. Insome embodiments, the device is volatile memory and requires power tomaintain stored information. In some embodiments, the device isnon-volatile memory and retains stored information when the digitalprocessing device is not powered. In further embodiments, thenon-volatile memory comprises flash memory. In some embodiments, thenon-volatile memory comprises dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). Insome embodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises ferroelectric randomaccess memory (FRAM). In some embodiments, the non-volatile memorycomprises phase-change random access memory (PRAM). In some embodiments,the non-volatile memory comprises the Magnetoresistive random-accessmemory (MRAM). In other embodiments, the device is a storage deviceincluding, by way of non-limiting examples, CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memorydevices, magnetic disk drives, magnetic tapes drives, optical diskdrives, and cloud computing based storage. In further embodiments, thestorage and/or memory device is a combination of devices such as thosedisclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes a display tosend visual information to a user. In some embodiments, the display is acathode ray tube (CRT). In some embodiments, the display is a liquidcrystal display (LCD). In further embodiments, the display is a thinfilm transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). In some embodiments,the display is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. Invarious further embodiments, on OLED display is a passive-matrix OLED(PMOLED) or active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display. In some embodiments,the display is a plasma display. In some embodiments, the display isE-paper or E ink. In other embodiments, the display is a videoprojector. In still further embodiments, the display is a combination ofdevices such as those disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the digital processing device includes an inputdevice to receive information from a user. In some embodiments, theinput device is a keyboard. In some embodiments, the input device is apointing device including, by way of non-limiting examples, a mouse,trackball, track pad, joystick, game controller, or stylus. In someembodiments, the input device is a touch screen or a multi-touch screen.In other embodiments, the input device is a microphone to capture voiceor other sound input. In other embodiments, the input device is a videocamera or other sensor to capture motion or visual input. In furtherembodiments, the input device is a Kinect, Leap Motion, or the like. Instill further embodiments, the input device is a combination of devicessuch as those disclosed herein.

Non-Transitory Computer Readable Storage Medium

In some embodiments, the platforms, media, methods and applicationsdescribed herein include one or more non-transitory computer readablestorage media encoded with a program including instructions executableby the operating system of an optionally networked digital processingdevice. In further embodiments, a computer readable storage medium is atangible component of a digital processing device. In still furtherembodiments, a computer readable storage medium is optionally removablefrom a digital processing device. In some embodiments, a computerreadable storage medium includes, by way of non-limiting examples,CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memory devices, solid state memory, magnetic diskdrives, magnetic tape drives, optical disk drives, cloud computingsystems and services, and the like. In some cases, the program andinstructions are permanently, substantially permanently,semi-permanently, or non-transitorily encoded on the media.

Computer Program

In some embodiments, the platforms, media, methods and applicationsdescribed herein include at least one computer program, or use of thesame. A computer program includes a sequence of instructions, executablein the digital processing device's CPU, written to perform a specifiedtask. Computer readable instructions may be implemented as programmodules, such as functions, objects, Application Programming Interfaces(APIs), data structures, and the like, that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. In light of the disclosureprovided herein, those of skill in the art will recognize that acomputer program may be written in various versions of variouslanguages.

The functionality of the computer readable instructions may be combinedor distributed as desired in various environments. In some embodiments,a computer program comprises one sequence of instructions. In someembodiments, a computer program comprises a plurality of sequences ofinstructions. In some embodiments, a computer program is provided fromone location. In other embodiments, a computer program is provided froma plurality of locations. In various embodiments, a computer programincludes one or more software modules. In various embodiments, acomputer program includes, in part or in whole, one or more webapplications, one or more mobile applications, one or more standaloneapplications, one or more web browser plug-ins, extensions, add-ins, oradd-ons, or combinations thereof.

Web Application

In some embodiments, a computer program includes a web application. Inlight of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art willrecognize that a web application, in various embodiments, utilizes oneor more software frameworks and one or more database systems. In someembodiments, a web application is created upon a software framework suchas Microsoft® NET or Ruby on Rails (RoR). In some embodiments, a webapplication utilizes one or more database systems including, by way ofnon-limiting examples, relational, non-relational, object oriented,associative, and XML database systems. In further embodiments, suitablerelational database systems include, by way of non-limiting examples,Microsoft® SQL Server, mySQL™, and Oracle®. Those of skill in the artwill also recognize that a web application, in various embodiments, iswritten in one or more versions of one or more languages. A webapplication may be written in one or more markup languages, presentationdefinition languages, client-side scripting languages, server-sidecoding languages, database query languages, or combinations thereof. Insome embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in amarkup language such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), ExtensibleHypertext Markup Language (XHTML), or eXtensible Markup Language (XML).In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in apresentation definition language such as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in aclient-side scripting language such as Asynchronous Javascript and XML(AJAX), Flash® Actionscript, Javascript, or Silverlight®. In someembodiments, a web application is written to some extent in aserver-side coding language such as Active Server Pages (ASP),ColdFusion®, Perl, Java™, JavaServer Pages (JSP), Hypertext Preprocessor(PHP), Python™, Ruby, Tcl, Smalltalk, WebDNA®, or Groovy. In someembodiments, a web application is written to some extent in a databasequery language such as Structured Query Language (SQL). In someembodiments, a web application integrates enterprise server productssuch as IBM® Lotus Domino®. In some embodiments, a web applicationincludes a media player element. In various further embodiments, a mediaplayer element utilizes one or more of many suitable multimediatechnologies including, by way of non-limiting examples, Adobe® Flash®,HTML 5, Apple® QuickTime®, Microsoft® Silverlight®, Java™, and Unity®.

Mobile Application

In some embodiments, a computer program includes a mobile applicationprovided to a mobile digital processing device. In some embodiments, themobile application is provided to a mobile digital processing device atthe time it is manufactured. In other embodiments, the mobileapplication is provided to a mobile digital processing device via thecomputer network described herein.

In view of the disclosure provided herein, a mobile application iscreated by techniques known to those of skill in the art using hardware,languages, and development environments known to the art. Those of skillin the art will recognize that mobile applications are written inseveral languages. Suitable programming languages include, by way ofnon-limiting examples, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Java™, Javascript,Pascal, Object Pascal, Python™, Ruby, VB.NET, WML, and XHTML/HTML withor without CSS, or combinations thereof.

Suitable mobile application development environments are available fromseveral sources. Commercially available development environmentsinclude, by way of non-limiting examples, AirplaySDK, alcheMo,Appcelerator®, Celsius, Bedrock, Flash Lite, NET Compact Framework,Rhomobile, and WorkLight Mobile Platform. Other development environmentsare available without cost including, by way of non-limiting examples,Lazarus, MobiFlex, MoSync, and Phonegap. Also, mobile devicemanufacturers distribute software developer kits including, by way ofnon-limiting examples, iPhone and iPad (iOS) SDK, Android™ SDK,BlackBerry® SDK, BREW SDK, Palm® OS SDK, Symbian SDK, webOS SDK, andWindows® Mobile SDK.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that several commercial forumsare available for distribution of mobile applications including, by wayof non-limiting examples, Apple® App Store, Android™ Market, BlackBerry®App World, App Store for Palm devices, App Catalog for webOS, Windows®Marketplace for Mobile, Ovi Store for Nokia® devices, Samsung® Apps, andNintendo® DSi Shop.

Standalone Application

In some embodiments, a computer program includes a standaloneapplication, which is a program that is run as an independent computerprocess, not an add-on to an existing process, e.g., not a plug-in.Those of skill in the art will recognize that standalone applicationsare often compiled. A compiler is a computer program(s) that transformssource code written in a programming language into binary object codesuch as assembly language or machine code. Suitable compiled programminglanguages include, by way of non-limiting examples, C, C++, Objective-C,COBOL, Delphi, Eiffel, Java™, Lisp, Python™, Visual Basic, and VB .NET,or combinations thereof. Compilation is often performed, at least inpart, to create an executable program. In some embodiments, a computerprogram includes one or more executable complied applications.

Software Modules

In some embodiments, the platforms, media, methods and applicationsdescribed herein include software, server, and/or database modules, oruse of the same. In view of the disclosure provided herein, softwaremodules are created by techniques known to those of skill in the artusing machines, software, and languages known to the art. The softwaremodules disclosed herein are implemented in a multitude of ways. Invarious embodiments, a software module comprises a file, a section ofcode, a programming object, a programming structure, or combinationsthereof. In further various embodiments, a software module comprises aplurality of files, a plurality of sections of code, a plurality ofprogramming objects, a plurality of programming structures, orcombinations thereof. In various embodiments, the one or more softwaremodules comprise, by way of non-limiting examples, a web application, amobile application, and a standalone application. In some embodiments,software modules are in one computer program or application. In otherembodiments, software modules are in more than one computer program orapplication. In some embodiments, software modules are hosted on onemachine. In other embodiments, software modules are hosted on more thanone machine. In further embodiments, software modules are hosted oncloud computing platforms. In some embodiments, software modules arehosted on one or more machines in one location. In other embodiments,software modules are hosted on one or more machines in more than onelocation.

Databases

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdisclosed herein include one or more databases, or use of the same. Inview of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art willrecognize that many databases are suitable for storage and retrieval ofbarcode, route, parcel, user, or network information. In variousembodiments, suitable databases include, by way of non-limitingexamples, relational databases, non-relational databases, objectoriented databases, object databases, entity-relationship modeldatabases, associative databases, and XML databases. In someembodiments, a database is internet-based. In further embodiments, adatabase is web-based. In still further embodiments, a database is cloudcomputing-based. In other embodiments, a database is based on one ormore local computer storage devices.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the invention. It should be understoodthat various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein may be employed in practicing the invention.

Web Browser Plug-in

In some embodiments, the computer program includes a web browserplug-in. In computing, a plug-in is one or more software components thatadd specific functionality to a larger software application. Makers ofsoftware applications support plug-ins to enable third-party developersto create abilities which extend an application, to support easilyadding new features, and to reduce the size of an application. Whensupported, plug-ins enable customizing the functionality of a softwareapplication. For example, plug-ins are commonly used in web browsers toplay video, generate interactivity, scan for viruses, and displayparticular file types. Those of skill in the art will be familiar withseveral web browser plug-ins including, Adobe® Flash® Player, Microsoft®Silverlight®, and Apple® QuickTime®. In some embodiments, the toolbarcomprises one or more web browser extensions, add-ins, or add-ons. Insome embodiments, the toolbar comprises one or more explorer bars, toolbands, or desk bands.

In view of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the artwill recognize that several plug-in frameworks are available that enabledevelopment of plug-ins in various programming languages, including, byway of non-limiting examples, C++, Delphi, Java™, PHP, Python™, and VB.NET, or combinations thereof.

Web browsers (also called Internet browsers) are software applications,designed for use with network-connected digital processing devices, forretrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on theWorld Wide Web. Suitable web browsers include, by way of non-limitingexamples, Microsoft® Internet Explorer®, Mozilla® Firefox®, Google®Chrome, Apple® Safari®, Opera Software® Opera®, and KDE Konqueror. Insome embodiments, the web browser is a mobile web browser. Mobile webbrowsers (also called mircrobrowsers, mini-browsers, and wirelessbrowsers) are designed for use on mobile digital processing devicesincluding, by way of non-limiting examples, handheld computers, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, subnotebook computers, smartphones, musicplayers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and handheld video gamesystems. Suitable mobile web browsers include, by way of non-limitingexamples, Google® Android® browser, RIM BlackBerry® Browser, Apple®Safari®, Palm® Blazer, Palm® WebOS® Browser, Mozilla® Firefox® formobile, Microsoft® Internet Explorer® Mobile, Amazon® Kindle® Basic Web,Nokia® Browser, Opera Software® Opera® Mobile, and Sony PSP™ browser.

Examples Example 1—Wearable Device Requesting an Emergency Response

Jane Bond, a heart patient, is alone in her home. Jane is wearing awearable device on her wrist with a pulse sensor, which measures herpulse-rate periodically. The wearable device is installed with anapplication, which will measure her pulse-rate more frequently when itbegins to fall outside a threshold range. The device also has a secondsensor, an accelerometer, for detecting motion. Based on her doctor'srecommendations, Jane has inputted the threshold range for her pulse andother health indicators into the wearable device. When the pulse is inthe normal range, the wearable device will instruct the pulse sensor tomeasure the pulse-rate less frequently. In addition, Jane's doctor hasadvised her to strap a heart-rate sensor (an external sensor for thewearable device) to her chest to monitor her heart-rate when she is notfeeling well. When worn together, the heart-rate sensor periodicallysends her heart-rate values to the application on the wearable device onJane's wrist. When the pulse-rate and the heart-rate is outside thepre-defined threshold, it is a sign that Jane's heart is functioningabnormally. As Jane gets up from bed and goes to the kitchen for somewater, her pulse rate drops and the wearable device monitors thepulse-rate and heart-rate simultaneously and issues a warning signalwhen both fall outside of the pre-defined ranges following a scheme.Jane collapses, and the accelerometer on her wearable device detects thefall. Based on information from the pulse sensor and heart-rate sensorindicating that her heart is not functioning normally, the applicationon the wearable device decides to send an emergency alert. If thewearable device does not have a data signal, it will search for a listof communication devices in a prioritized list. Jane had entered severalcommunication devices including her cell phone, her tablet, herhusband's cell phone, and the doctor's emergency line in the list, whilethe wearable device is also capable of searching for and identifyingcommunication devices that are in the vicinity to augment the list. Atthis time, Jane's cell phone and tablet are switched off. Her husbandhas left his cell phone at home and the wearable device goes through thelist and establishes a communication link with her husband's cell phoneto send the emergency alert augmented with Jane's pulse and heart-ratesensor data so that an ambulance with appropriate equipment can beincluded in the emergency response. The alert also includes locationinformation from her husband's cell phone. James' cell phone is locatedin a distant room in the house and the wearable device is unable toestablish a direct connection. The wearable device then establishes anindirect connection with the cell phone through the home Wi-Fi® router.The wearable device then sends the emergency alert to the EMS throughthis indirect connection. The EMS receives the emergency alert andlocates the EDC serving her locality using location information from theemergency alert and delivers the alert with a request for assistance tothe local EDC. The EMS formats the message into a format that iscompatible with the EDC, which is not able to receive digital or datacommunications. Here, the EDC in Jane's area can only receive voicecalls, so the EMS converts the message into a voice message for the EDC.The voice message includes sensed information about Jane's pulse andheart-rate. With relevant situational information in hand (e.g, amedical emergency because a person's pulse and heart-rate is low), theEDC sends first responders with appropriate medical capabilities. On theway, the medical staff send a request to the wearable device throughJane's husband's phone to send them emergency medical and prescriptioninformation, which Jane had saved for emergencies. Further, the EMSsearches its device location database to locate any IoT devices insideJane's home. The EMS locates a motion sensor and sends a request forreal-time and historical information from the sensor through herhusband's phone to share with first-responders. Fortunately, the motionsensor is located in the 2^(nd) floor bedroom where Jane collapsed, andthe historical sensor data reveals movement data with time-stampinformation that is close in proximity to transmission of the emergencyalert to the EMS. The EMS relays this information to the EDC andfirst-responders who quickly enter Jane's home and go up the stairs tofind her. Thanks to the prompt and efficient emergency responseaugmented with this new technology, Jane is able to make a fastrecovery.

Example 2—IoT Network Situational Awareness for Emergency Response

Bob has a network of IoT devices installed in his house, including smokedetectors. He also has a communication device (mobile phone) and a Wi-Firouting device in the house. The IoT devices are assigned with unique IDnumbers and registered in a device location database (DLDB). When a firebreaks out in a basement, the smoke detector in the basement raises analarm and broadcasts an emergency alert including a request foremergency assistance to the EMS. The EMS looks up the sensor ID in thedatabase and discovers the physical address of the house where thesensor is located. The EMS sends the emergency alert with the addressinformation to the appropriate EDC in a compatible format. To gainfurther situational information, the EMS looks up other IoT devices inthe house and sends data requests for sensed information to thosedevices. As the EMS receives updated sensor data from the other IoTdevices in Bob's house, it is able to monitor the spread of the fire andupdate the EDC and first responders in real time. In addition to sendingthe emergency alert, the smoke detector in the basement broadcasts themessage to other IoT devices in the network. The smoke detector at thetop of the basement stairs detects the broadcast of the emergency alertand adds sensed information (sensor data) about the smoke level andperiodically broadcasts an augmented alert and re-broadcasts themessage. When first responders approach the house, they are able tocommunicate with the IoT devices in the house and get updates about thesmoke level in different parts of the house so that they can quickly andeffectively respond to the fire.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the invention. It should be understoodthat various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that methodsand structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents becovered thereby.

1. A system comprising: a) a communication device; b) a wearable devicecomprising at least one processor, a memory, at least one sensor, anetwork element, a user interface, and instructions executable by the atleast one processor to create an emergency alert application comprising:i) a sensor module receiving data from the at least one sensor; ii) aninterface module receiving at least one emergency indication from theuser interface; and iii) a communication module establishing an indirectcommunication link with an emergency management system, thecommunication link comprising: 1) sending an alert to the communicationdevice for delivery to the emergency management system, wherein thealert comprises the at least one emergency indication, data from the atleast one sensor, and location information from the wearable device orthe communication device, wherein the alert comprises information aboutthe communication device, wherein the information is selected from thegroup consisting of: location, identity of a user of the communicationdevice, and relationship between a user of the communication device anda user of the wearable device; 2) receiving at least one data requestfrom the communication device, wherein the data request originates fromthe emergency management system; and 3) responding to the at least onedata request by sending updated data from the at least one sensor to thecommunication device for delivery to the emergency management system toprovide situational awareness during an emergency response; c) a serverconfigured to provide an emergency management system applicationcomprising: i) an alert module receiving an alert from a communicationdevice, wherein said alert originates from a wearable device, whereinsaid alert comprises at least one emergency indication, data from the atleast one sensor, and location information from the wearable device orthe communication device; ii) an update module sending at least one datarequest to the communication device for delivery to the wearable deviceand receiving updated data from the communication device that originatesfrom the at least one sensor of the wearable device.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the communication device comprises an indirectcommunication link module receiving an alert from the wearable deviceand delivering the alert to the emergency management system, wherein thealert is transmitted as a digital signal.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the communication module selects a communication device from alist of communication devices for receiving the alert, wherein thecommunication module selects a communication device suitable fordirectly communicating with the wearable device based on communicationlink quality, wherein each communication device is scored according toone or more factors relevant to communication link quality between eachcommunication device and the wearable device.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein the one or more factors are selected from the group consistingof: signal strength, channel latency, error rate, availability ofwireless or wired channels for communication between the wearable deviceand the communication device, and transmission delay between thewearable device and the communication device.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the indirect communication link further comprises sending analert to a routing device for delivery to a communication device when nocommunication device suitable for directly communicating with thewearable device is available.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thealert comprises at least one multimedia message, wherein the at leastone multimedia message comprises a plurality of data types.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the emergency management system converts theat least one multimedia message into a compatible format beforedelivering the at least one multimedia message to an emergency dispatchcenter.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearabledevice sends an alert autonomously without user input when data from theat least one sensor indicates an emergency situation, wherein sensorreadings indicate an emergency situation when a sensor reading fallsoutside of an alarm threshold, said threshold defined by a range ofvalues.
 10. A wearable device for requesting emergency assistancecomprising: at least one processor, a memory, a user interface, at leastone sensor, and a network element, and a computer program includinginstructions executable by the at least one processor to create anemergency alert application comprising: a) a sensor module receivingdata from the at least one sensor; b) an interface module receiving atleast one emergency indication from the user interface; and c) acommunication module establishing an indirect communication link with anemergency management system, the communication link comprising: i)sending an alert to a communication device distinct from the wearabledevice for delivery to the emergency management system, wherein thealert comprises the at least one emergency indication, data from the atleast one sensor, and location information from the wearable device orthe communication device, wherein the alert comprises information aboutthe communication device, wherein the information is selected from thegroup consisting of: location, identity of a user of the communicationdevice, and relationship between a user of the communication device anda user of the wearable device; ii) receiving at least one data requestfrom the communication device, wherein the data request originates fromthe emergency management system; and iii) responding to the at least onedata request by sending updated data from the at least one sensor to thecommunication device for delivery to the emergency management system toprovide situational awareness during an emergency response.
 11. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the communication device comprises anindirect communication link module receiving an alert from the wearabledevice and delivering the alert to the emergency management system,wherein the alert is transmitted as a digital signal.
 12. The device ofclaim 10, wherein the communication module selects a communicationdevice from a list of communication devices for receiving the alert,wherein the communication module selects a communication device suitablefor directly communicating with the wearable device based oncommunication link quality, wherein each communication device is scoredaccording to one or more factors relevant to communication link qualitybetween each communication device and the wearable device.
 13. Thedevice of claim 12, wherein the one or more factors are selected fromthe group consisting of: signal strength, channel latency, error rate,availability of wireless or wired channels for communication between thewearable device and the communication device, and transmission delaybetween the wearable device and the communication device.
 14. The deviceof claim 10, wherein the indirect communication link further comprisessending an alert to a routing device for delivery to a communicationdevice when no communication device suitable for directly communicatingwith the wearable device is available.
 15. The device of claim 10,wherein the alert comprises at least one multimedia message, wherein theat least one multimedia message comprises a plurality of data types. 16.The device of claim 15, wherein the emergency management system convertsthe at least one multimedia message into a compatible format beforedelivering the at least one multimedia message to an emergency dispatchcenter.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The device of claim 10, wherein the wearabledevice sends an alert autonomously without user input when data from theat least one sensor indicates an emergency situation, wherein sensorreadings indicate an emergency situation when a sensor reading fallsoutside of an alarm threshold, said threshold defined by a range ofvalues.
 19. A method for sending an alert from a wearable device to anemergency management system by using a communication device to establishan indirect communication link, the method comprising: a) receiving, bythe wearable device, data from at least one sensor associated with thewearable device; b) receiving, by the wearable device, at least oneemergency indication initiated by a user interacting with the wearabledevice; c) sending, by the wearable device, an alert to thecommunication device for delivery to the emergency management system,wherein the alert comprises the at least one emergency indication, datafrom the at least one sensor, and location information from the wearabledevice or the communication device: wherein the alert comprisesinformation about the communication device, wherein the information isselected from the group consisting of: location, identity of a user ofthe communication device, and relationship between a user of thecommunication device and a user of the wearable device; d) receiving, bythe wearable device, at least one data request from the communicationdevice, wherein the data request originates from the emergencymanagement system; and e) responding, by the wearable device, to the atleast one data request by transmitting updated data from the at leastone sensor to the communication device for delivery to the emergencymanagement system to provide situational awareness during an emergencyresponse.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the communication devicecomprises an indirect communication link module receiving an alert fromthe wearable device and delivering the alert to the emergency managementsystem, wherein the alert is transmitted as a digital signal.
 21. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the communication module selects acommunication device from a list of communication devices for receivingthe alert, wherein the communication module selects a communicationdevice suitable for directly communicating with the wearable devicebased on communication link quality, wherein each communication deviceis scored according to one or more factors relevant to communicationlink quality between each communication device and the wearable device.22. The method of claim 21, wherein the one or more factors are selectedfrom the group consisting of: signal strength, channel latency, errorrate, availability of wireless or wired channels for communicationbetween the wearable device and the communication device, andtransmission delay between the wearable device and the communicationdevice.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the indirect communicationlink further comprises sending an alert to a routing device for deliveryto a communication device when no communication device suitable fordirectly communicating with the wearable device is available.
 24. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the alert comprises at least one multimediamessage, wherein the at least one multimedia message comprises aplurality of data types.
 25. (canceled)
 26. The method of claim 19,wherein the wearable device sends an alert autonomously without userinput when data from the at least one sensor indicates an emergencysituation, wherein sensor readings indicate an emergency situation whena sensor reading falls outside of an alarm threshold, said thresholddefined by a range of values.
 27. Non-transitory computer-readablestorage media encoded with a computer program including instructionsexecutable by at least one processor to create an emergency alertapplication comprising: a) a sensor module receiving data from at leastone sensor associated with a wearable device worn by a user; b) aninterface module receiving at least one emergency indication initiatedby the user interacting with a user interface of the wearable device;and c) a communication module establishing an indirect communicationlink with an emergency management system, the communication linkcomprising: i) sending an alert to a communication device distinct fromthe wearable device for delivery to the emergency management system,wherein the alert comprises the at least one emergency indication, datafrom the at least one sensor, and location information from the wearabledevice or the communication device, wherein the alert comprisesinformation about the communication device, wherein the information isselected from the group consisting of: location, identity of a user ofthe communication device, and relationship between a user of thecommunication device and a user of the wearable device; ii) receiving atleast one data request from the communication device, wherein the datarequest originates from the emergency management system; and iii)responding to the at least one data request by transmitting updated datafrom the at least one sensor to the communication device for delivery tothe emergency management system to provide situational awareness duringan emergency response.
 28. The media of claim 27, wherein thecommunication module selects a communication device from a list ofcommunication devices for receiving the alert, wherein the communicationmodule selects a communication device suitable for directlycommunicating with the wearable device based on communication linkquality, wherein each communication device is scored according to one ormore factors relevant to communication link quality between eachcommunication device and the wearable device.
 29. The media of claim 27,wherein the indirect communication link further comprises sending analert to a routing device for delivery to a communication device when nocommunication device suitable for directly communicating with thewearable device is available.
 30. The media of claim 27, wherein thewearable device sends an alert autonomously without user input when datafrom the at least one sensor indicates an emergency situation, whereinsensor readings indicate an emergency situation when a sensor readingfalls outside of an alarm threshold, said threshold defined by a rangeof values.